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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him asking. 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 achieved cult status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "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 state 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 series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.