Scream OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by 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 daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. 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 achieved cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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