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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. 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 character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, 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 pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud 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 made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting 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. "At the start, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know 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 truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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