Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious 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 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 won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of 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 mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.