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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist 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," 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 dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

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

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure 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 fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want 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 reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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