Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, 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 terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning 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 thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.