Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist 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 series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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