Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl 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 returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

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

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

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is 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 gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough 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 ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.