Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved 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 be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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