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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return 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 aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved 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 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 trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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