Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

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 apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

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

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "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 state 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 franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.