Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks 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 fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved 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 movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.