Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise 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 major family reunion. This new chapter marks 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 fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small cameo is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved 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 movie's gonna work. I don't know if people are eager 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 reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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