Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming 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, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the offer from the original writer.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.