Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected 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 meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist 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 time 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 received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth 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.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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