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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different 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 return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original 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 audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit 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 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 idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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