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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the legendary 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 fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight 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 terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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