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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback 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 journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct 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 resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.