Scream Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise 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 new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.