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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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