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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up 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 previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected 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 resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's 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 returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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