Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary return of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

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

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the final product. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want 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 mess up the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

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