Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the years since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back 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 Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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