Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. 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 mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, 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 appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, 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. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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