Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

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 new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely 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 pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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