Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious 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 gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be 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 daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down 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 damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, 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, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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