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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. 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 attained cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. 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 trope?' 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 thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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