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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly 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 mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.