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

The long-awaited 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 marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't 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 daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare 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 Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud 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 made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety 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 anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will 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 idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.