Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed 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 three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

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

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure 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 reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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