Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series 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 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 last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, 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 damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely 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 Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.