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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

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 audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state 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 hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime 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, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also exists.

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