Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut 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 joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from past 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 Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I remember the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment 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 attained cult status in the years since the original film premiered, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he explains. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Disappointing the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved franchise.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Run High

While countless longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a meta-horror narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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