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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback 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 fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return 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 killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, 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 Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know 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 idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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