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 next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals 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 reporter 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 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched 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 original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

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