Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't 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 daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, 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 state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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