Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.