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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. 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 years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.