Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic 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 won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface 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 anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"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 have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough 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 hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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