Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role 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 Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored 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 very nervous.

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

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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