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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud 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 left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, 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 return remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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