Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Is Anxious He Could Ruin the Franchise with the Seventh Installment.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the franchise for the first time since a small appearance is a dream come true, though he is apprehensive about the audience response. The actor vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the original writer.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now embodied in every single 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 admits to feeling immense pressure about hoping not to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many dedicated fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's consciousness, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way still living in a strange communal situation. The chance of a self-referential story, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

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