Ghostface Original Star the Actor 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 preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor 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 making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So 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 original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant 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 miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality 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 reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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