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

The long-awaited slasher sequel 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 marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor 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 making a comeback.

"Returning to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," Lillard reveals.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The exact mechanism of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Disappointing the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the final product. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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