Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

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

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited 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 want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.