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

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "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 left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in every single Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's 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 film will gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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