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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out 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.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

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 terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm really proud 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 left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting 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 observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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