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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved 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 explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.