Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this latest sequel, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first occasion since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "Therefore 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 premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he explains. "A part that is now represented in every single Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "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 certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of earlier genre films, also is on the table.

Audiences will discover the answer when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.