Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears 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 preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. 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 really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's 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 gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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