Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance 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 iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back 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 was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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