Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure 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 fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out 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 franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.