Scream Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin 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, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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