Matthew Lillard's Return to the Scream Franchise: A Shocking Twist for Scream 7
Deadline reports that Matthew Lillard, the unforgettable antagonist Stuart "Stu" Macher from the original 1996 Scream, will star in Scream 7. This announcement has sent ripples through the fanbase, prompting questions about how Lillard's character can be included given the events of the first film. Will he reprise his role as Stu, or take on a new character? The details remain shrouded in mystery, although Lillard himself hinted at his involvement via an Instagram post (embedded below).
The news marks a partial reunion of the original Scream cast, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell (reprising her iconic role as Sidney Prescott) and Courteney Cox in Scream 7. Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown are also confirmed cast members.
This is significant news for a film that faced considerable production hurdles. The project experienced setbacks including the November 2023 dismissal of Melissa Barrera following controversial social media activity, and the departure of Jenna Ortega, removing both Carpenter sisters who were central to the 2022 Scream installment. Adding to the challenges, director Christopher Landon left the project in December 2023, citing a difficult experience. Kevin Williamson, writer of the first, second, and fourth Scream films, has since stepped in as director.
AnswerSee ResultsRadio Silence, the directing duo behind Scream and Scream 6, announced their departure from Scream 7 in August 2023, though they remain executive producers. Guy Busick, co-writer of the previous two films, returns to pen the screenplay.
Scream 7 is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026.
