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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state 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 series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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