Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back 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

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to 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 actor clearly remembers 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 mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

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

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled 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 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 idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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