Ghostface OG Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is gearing up for a major gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter marks 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 won't be the only fan-favorite characters making a comeback.

"Returning to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that a trio of different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in previous installments. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Legendary Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first time since a small appearance is a long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I recall the pleasantries. I remember 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 achieved iconic status in the years since the original film was released, which made Lillard feeling quite trepidatious.

"Truthfully, that's a part that is infamous, for better or worse," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in every single Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who damages the popular franchise.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard observes. "Going into it, I have no idea if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've certainly seen enough people state and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they returning to this trope?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Abound

While many dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back persists. Maybe they live rent-free in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are in some way still living in a bizarre shared situation. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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