Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated 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 latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down 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 not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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