Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks 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 journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three 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 remains a mystery. Audiences should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," 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 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety 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 fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people are eager 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 truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.