Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin 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 gearing up for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. 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 asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic 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 character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears 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 confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.