Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment marks the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

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

"I recall the conversation. I remember the small talk. I remember him posing the question. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that filming has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not mess up the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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