Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. 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 won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series 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 got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

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

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's 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 going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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