Ghostface Original Star the Actor Is Anxious He Could Spoil the Franchise with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated horror film Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a major family reunion. This latest installment signals the iconic comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they won't be the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

"Coming back to a role you played in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that kept me up at night," the actor reveals.

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallon Characters

Reports have confirmed that a trio of distinct characters from earlier films are set to return in this latest sequel, even though meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection remains a mystery. Fans should prepare for the reappearance of the endearing and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and third film killer Roman Bridger, and one half of the first film's killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the franchise for the first time since a small cameo is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The performer clearly remembers the exact moment he received the news from the series creator.

"I recall the phone call. I recall the small talk. I recall him asking. That instance is indelibly imprinted on my mind," he says. "Therefore I'm really proud to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has attained cult status in the years since the original film was released, which left Lillard feeling very nervous.

"The reality is, that's a role that is infamous, like it or not," he notes. "A part that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that appears every Halloween."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is waiting like the rest of us to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling significant pressure about hoping not to be the one who ruins the popular franchise.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard observes. "At the start, I have no idea if the film will be successful. I don't know if people are eager to see me. I've definitely seen enough 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 leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless dedicated fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's return, the big question of how he and the others come back remains. Maybe they exist as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Alternatively, maybe they are in some way still living in a strange shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential story, inspired by classic horror movies, also exists.

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