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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part 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 Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly 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 mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.