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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him posing the question. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

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

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "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 certainly seen plenty of 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 exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Moviegoers will discover the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.