Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel 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 new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from 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 character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member 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 long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. 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 going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also exists.

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