Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic 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 aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you portrayed in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though dying in prior movies. The exact mechanism of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight 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 terrified about the audience response. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

"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. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades 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 part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position like the rest of us to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen enough 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 ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, maybe they are somehow still living in a bizarre communal situation. The chance of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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