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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel 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 marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant 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. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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