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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, 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 beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. 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 achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure 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 reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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