Scream Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film 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 occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. 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 asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure 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 trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.