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

The long-awaited 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 final girl Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the last entry. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a character you played in your mid-20s when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and Scream 3 killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the offer from the original writer.

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

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that walks around every October 31st."

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 final product. He admits to feeling immense anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know if the movie's gonna work. 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 reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I hope people leaving Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others return remains. Perhaps they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, perhaps they are somehow still living in a strange shared scenario. 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 debuts in theaters.