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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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