Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut 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, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," 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 is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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