Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series 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 new chapter signals the iconic 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 beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series 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 got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' 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 was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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