Ghostface Original 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 major 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, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited 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 plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also exists.

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