Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance 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 killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want 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 truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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