Ghostface Original Star Matthew Lillard Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The long-awaited slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the legendary return of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the last entry. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters returning to the fray.

"Returning to a role you played in your mid-20s when you're in your fifties was a challenge that gave me sleepless nights," Lillard admits.

A Triumphant Return for Fallon Favorites

It has been established that three different characters from past films are slated to reappear in this new outing, despite dying in prior movies. The precise method of their return remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the return of the beloved and seemingly immortal officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and a member of the first film's murderous duo, Stu Macher.

The Weight of Legendary Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first occasion since a small cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the precise instant he received the news from the series creator.

"I remember the phone call. I remember the small talk. I recall him asking. That moment is permanently etched on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved cult status in the decades since the original film premiered, which left Lillard feeling quite nervous.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now embodied in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fandom

Now that production has wrapped, Lillard is waiting as everyone else to see the finished film. He admits to feeling significant anxiety about not wanting to be the one who ruins the beloved series.

"It's either a hit and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," Lillard points out. "At the start, I have no idea if the movie's be successful. I am unsure if people want to see me. I've definitely seen plenty of people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the franchise. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and saying, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Anticipation Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they exist rent-free in Sidney's mind, like a previous plot device. Or, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal situation. The possibility of a meta-horror story, inspired by classic horror movies, also is on the table.

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