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 next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, 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 in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three 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. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

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 hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

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