Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly 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 responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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