Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 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 series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud 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 made Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough 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 leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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