Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series 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 family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

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

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely 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 ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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