Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got 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. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of 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 pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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