Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans 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 first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "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 definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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