Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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