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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback 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 won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know 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 truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.