Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series 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 major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return 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 fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character 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 Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit 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 want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' 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 saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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