Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary 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 aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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