Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

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

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

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

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 hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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