Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist 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 time since a small appearance 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 recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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