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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear 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 admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. 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 trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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