Scream Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

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

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," 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 decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"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 be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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