Scream Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin 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 latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

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 confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.