Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he states. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic genre films, also exists.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.