Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin 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 family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return 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 reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state 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 mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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