Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

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

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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