Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance 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 iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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