Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback 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 role you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know 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 series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared 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.