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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

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

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore 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 was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.