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

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 marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

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

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of 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 responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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