Scream Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud 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 made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough 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 responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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