Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready 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 first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though 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 conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited 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 role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly 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 responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime 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 mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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