Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard 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 massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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