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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment 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 won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance 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 attained iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, 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 returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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