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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive 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 recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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