Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. 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 joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure 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 miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state 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 mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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