Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive 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 survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside 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 challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in 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 performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will 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 returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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