Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise 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 massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment 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 years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," 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 definitely seen plenty of people come out 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 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 dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.