Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated 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 marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know 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 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 countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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