Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series 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 gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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