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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out 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 hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.