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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback 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 character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that filming has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality 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 Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.