Scream Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

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

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly 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 pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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