Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited 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 latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know 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 reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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