Ghostface OG Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Ruin the Series with the Seventh Installment.

The long-awaited horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is gearing up for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This latest installment marks the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

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

A Triumphant Comeback for Fallon Characters

It has been established that three distinct characters from earlier films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in previous installments. The precise method of their return is still unclear. Fans should get ready for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal cop Dewey Riley, the filmmaker and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's 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 long-held wish, though he is apprehensive about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I remember him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has attained iconic status in the decades since the 1996 movie was released, which made Lillard feeling quite nervous.

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

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

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

"It's either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I don't know if the film will gonna work. I don't know if people want to see me. I've certainly seen plenty of people come out 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 franchise. I hope people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Anticipation Abound

While many longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, perhaps they are somehow all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, reminiscent of classic genre films, also is on the table.

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