Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's 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 film will 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 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 cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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