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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So 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 was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.