Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, 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 audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is 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 be successful. I am unsure 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 idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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