Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise 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 massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved 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," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore 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 premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is 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 am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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