Ghostface Original Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl 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 fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The actor vividly recalls the exact moment he received the news from the original writer.

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.