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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside 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 mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, 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 nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality 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 sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.