Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, 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 portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready 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 original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting 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 series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," 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 enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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