Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.