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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker 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 series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, 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 remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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