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

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 iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.