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 next year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight 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 terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

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

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production 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 popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of 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 mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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