Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl 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 fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series 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 vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

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

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

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins 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 have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

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

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