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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. 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 filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character 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 in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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