Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic return 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 beloved characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth 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 Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.