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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult 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 represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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