Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise 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 massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting 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 fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure 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 idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.