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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.