Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories 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 remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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