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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state 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 mess up the series. I hope 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 reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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