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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

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

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

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

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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