Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. 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 twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the offer from the series creator.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored 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.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, 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 damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. 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 arrives in theaters.