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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist 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 franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," 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 original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure 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 truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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