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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals 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 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 twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth 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 was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.