Ghostface OG Star the Actor Fears He Could Spoil the Series with Scream 7.

The highly anticipated slasher sequel Scream 7 is scheduled to debut in theaters next year, and it is preparing for a massive gathering of familiar faces. This new chapter signals the legendary comeback of Neve Campbell as survivor Sidney Prescott, after sitting out the previous film. She will, as usual, be alongside Courtney Cox as reporter Gail Weathers, but they aren't the only beloved characters making a comeback.

"Coming back to a character you portrayed in your twenties when you're 55 was a daunting task that gave me sleepless nights," the actor reveals.

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, even though meeting their demise in previous installments. The exact mechanism 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 Weight of Iconic Status

For Matthew Lillard, returning to the series for the first occasion since a brief cameo is a dream come true, even if he is terrified about the audience response. The actor clearly remembers the exact moment he got the news from the original writer.

"I remember the conversation. I recall the small talk. I remember him asking. That moment is indelibly imprinted on my psyche," he says. "So I'm incredibly honored to be back. I'm thrilled to be back."

Stu Macher has achieved iconic status in the years since the 1996 movie premiered, which left Lillard feeling very trepidatious.

"The reality is, that's a part that lives in infamy, for better or worse," he explains. "A part that is now represented in each and every Scream mask that appears every October 31st."

The Fear of Letting Down the Fans

Now that production has wrapped, 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 beloved series.

"The outcome is either a hit and people are thrilled to have you, or it's a fail," Lillard points out. "Going into it, I have no idea if the movie's 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 going back to this idea?' So the truth is that I feel a lot of responsibility to not ruin the series. I don't want people exiting Scream 7 and thinking, 'Well, that sucked, and Matthew Lillard was the reason.'"

Theories and Excitement Run High

While countless longtime fans are eagerly awaiting Stu's reappearance, the big question of how he and the others return persists. Perhaps they live as manifestations in Sidney's mind, similar to a previous plot device. Alternatively, perhaps they are in some way all alive in a bizarre shared scenario. The possibility of a self-referential narrative, inspired by earlier horror movies, also is on the table.

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