Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from past films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker 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, returning to the series for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the offer from the series creator.

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

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

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular 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 have no idea if the film will be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not mess up the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange communal scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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