Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

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 legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment 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 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "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 like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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