Ghostface OG 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 next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

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

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

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fans

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

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow all alive in a strange shared situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.