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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled 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 want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

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