Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, 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 twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences 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 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 small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud 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 made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I don't know 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 trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.