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

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary 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 journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the endearing and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

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 immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit 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 be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely 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 responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, like a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a strange shared situation. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by earlier genre films, also is on the table.

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