Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals 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 journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in previous installments. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

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

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fandom

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

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough 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 responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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