Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series 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 massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist 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 franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

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

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

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough 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 pressure 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.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.