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

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie 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 embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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