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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want 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 truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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