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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. 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 pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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