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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare 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 killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore 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 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.