Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore 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 quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality 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 was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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