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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. 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 joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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