Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Series 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 gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. 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 thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state 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 ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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