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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

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

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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