Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. 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 returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.