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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who damages the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I don't know if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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