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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.