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 next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning 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 reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream 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 final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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