Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This new chapter signals the iconic return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, per tradition, 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 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "So I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular series.

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will be successful. I don't know if people want to see me. I've definitely 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 pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

Audiences will find out the answer when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.