Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series 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 family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor 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.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

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

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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