Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears 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 legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. 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 achieved cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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