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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

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 damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "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 plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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