Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited 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 want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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