Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties 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

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited 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 certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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