Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure 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 mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist 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 meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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