Ghostface Original Star the Actor 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 preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out 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 portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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