Ghostface OG 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 in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic return 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 making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not 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 observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back 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 saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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