Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out 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 franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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