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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

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

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.