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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to 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 clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production 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 not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.