Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist 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 in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying 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 filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

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 ruins the beloved series.

"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 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 mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.