Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out 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 character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

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

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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