Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside 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 in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down 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 anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.