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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first occasion since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore 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 nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also exists.

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