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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback 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 portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment 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 cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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