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 next year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl 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 beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore 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 left Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's 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 idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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