Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "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 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely 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 pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.