Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as final girl Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're in your fifties was a challenge that kept me up at night," the actor admits.

An Unexpected Return for Fallen Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film antagonist Roman Bridger, and a member of the original murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the offer from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I remember the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my mind," he states. "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 original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a role that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A character that is now represented in every single Scream mask that appears every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fandom

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 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 fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I don't know 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 responsibility to not mess up the franchise. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they exist rent-free in Sidney's consciousness, like a previous plot device. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by earlier horror movies, also exists.

Moviegoers will discover the truth when Scream 7 arrives in theaters.