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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier 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 get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop 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 Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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