Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't 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 daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. 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 attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility 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.