Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is 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 want 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 responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility 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.