Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore 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 role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out 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 mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.