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

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is set to arrive in theaters in the coming year, and it is preparing for a massive family reunion. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, following her absence from the previous film. She will, per tradition, be joined by Courtney Cox as journalist Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only fan-favorite characters returning to the fray.

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

An Unexpected Comeback for Fallen Favorites

Reports have confirmed that three different characters from past films are set to return in this new outing, despite meeting their demise in prior movies. The precise method of their resurrection is still unclear. Audiences should prepare for the return of the beloved and nearly unkillable officer Dewey Riley, the director and Scream 3 antagonist Roman Bridger, and one half of the original killer pair, Stu Macher.

The Pressure of Iconic Legacy

For Matthew Lillard, reprising his role in the series for the first time since a brief appearance is a long-held wish, even if he is terrified about the public's reaction. The performer vividly recalls the exact moment he got the news from the series creator.

"I recall the conversation. I recall the pleasantries. I recall him posing the question. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he states. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm really excited to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the decades 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 explains. "A character that is now represented in each and every Ghostface mask that walks around every Halloween."

The Anxiety of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has concluded, Lillard is in the same position as everyone else to see the finished film. He confesses to feeling immense anxiety about hoping not to be the one who damages the beloved series.

"The outcome is either a success and people are excited to have you, or it's a miss," 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 definitely seen enough people come out and say, 'Stu is dead. Why are they going back to this trope?' So the reality is that I feel a lot of pressure to not ruin the series. I don't want people leaving Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that was terrible, and Matthew Lillard was the cause.'"

Speculation and Excitement Run High

While many longtime fans are excited for Stu's reappearance, the central mystery of how he and the others come back remains. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a prior storyline. Or, maybe they are in some way all alive in a bizarre communal scenario. The chance of a self-referential narrative, reminiscent of classic horror movies, also exists.

Audiences will find out the truth when Scream 7 debuts in theaters.