Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series 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 major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

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

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation 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 exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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