Matthew Lillard has spoken openly about his complicated feelings regarding his return to the Scream franchise. The actor, who famously played Stu Macher in the original 1996 film, reprised his role in Scream 7, which hit theaters on February 27, 2026. During a recent Q&A session, Lillard admitted he feels “embarrassed” and “ashamed” about his decision to return, citing the controversial firing of Melissa Barrera from the franchise in 2023 as the reason for his regret. Lillard stated that Barrera was “on the right side of history” and that he feels he “blew that” by not speaking up sooner.
Who Matthew Lillard Plays in the Scream Franchise
Matthew Lillard portrayed Stu Macher, one of the two original Ghostface killers in Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher classic Scream. Alongside Skeet Ulrich‘s Billy Loomis, Stu was revealed as the accomplice behind the Woodsboro murders. Stu met his end in the first film when Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) dropped a television set on his head, seemingly electrocuting him. Despite the character’s apparent death, Lillard has long been vocal about his theory that Stu survived, and he made his return in Scream 7, which was released in 2026.
Lillard also appeared in 1997‘s Scream 2 in a brief cameo. His return for the seventh installment marked a major moment for the franchise, bringing back a character presumed dead for three decades. Scream 7 served as a reunion for several original stars, including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, while also introducing new cast members like Isabel May as Sidney’s daughter, Tatum.
The Melissa Barrera Firing Controversy Explained
The controversy began in November 2023 when Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the Scream franchise, fired Melissa Barrera from Scream 7. Barrera had starred as Samantha Carpenter in the 2022 reboot Scream and its 2023 sequel Scream VI. She was dropped after sharing social media posts expressing support for Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Spyglass released a statement at the time, saying:
“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech”.
Barrera’s Instagram posts had described Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing”. Following her firing, Jenna Ortega, who played Barrera’s on-screen sister Tara Carpenter, also exited the project. Original director Christopher Landon departed shortly after, with Kevin Williamson eventually taking over directing duties for Scream 7.
What Matthew Lillard Said About His Return
Matthew Lillard made his feelings clear during a Q&A session following a 30th anniversary screening of the original Scream. A fan asked the actor about the challenges public figures face when speaking out on political issues. Lillard responded by referencing his own family, saying:
“For me, I have queer kids. If I’m not standing up for queer kids or kids in the trans community, then what the f— am I doing? If I’m not standing up against ICE, then what the f— am I doing?”.
He then turned the conversation to Barrera, stating:
“Melissa Barrera, who’s a beautiful actor, was fired for what she said… It’s really f—ing bulls— and really hard, and she’s on the right side of history. And when they start coming after your job, sometimes things are worth it”.
Lillard also criticized the broader entertainment industry for not supporting Barrera more vocally. “What happened to Melissa, the whole world didn’t pipe up,” he said. “She was like a year early on what the f—‘s going on, but the whole world should have piped up and said, ‘She’s right,’ and they didn’t. And that’s brutal”.
The actor then addressed his own decision to return for Scream 7:
“I went back to do Scream, and I got called out. And I’m like, ‘Oh f—, that’s brutal.’ I feel bad about that, I feel shame about that. Because in that moment, I was so excited to go back, I didn’t really think about Melissa and the journey, and I didn’t say ‘no.’ And I’m embarrassed, and that’s the truth”.
In a separate interview, Lillard added, “I’m on the wrong side of history for that. I still like being in the movie [but] it may not have been the best idea”.
How Scream 7 Performed at the Box Office
Scream 7 was released in theaters on February 27, 2026, distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original 1996 Scream and its sequels. This marked Williamson’s first time directing a film in the franchise.
Despite the controversy surrounding Barrera’s firing, the film performed well commercially. Scream 7 grossed approximately $213.8 million worldwide, including $121.9 million domestically and $91.9 million internationally. It became the highest-grossing horror film of 2026 and set a new franchise record for box office earnings.
Critical reception was far less favorable. The film holds a 30% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest in the franchise’s history, falling below the previous low of 45% held by Scream 3. Audience scores, however, were significantly higher, revealing a major divide between critics and viewers.
The film began streaming on Paramount+ on May 28, 2026, in the United States and Canada.
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Matthew Lillard’s Career Beyond Scream
Matthew Lillard, 56, has built a diverse career spanning more than three decades. Beyond his role as Stu Macher, he is widely known for playing Shaggy Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo films and for voicing the character in animated projects. He has also appeared in films like Thir13en Ghosts, SLC Punk!, and Five Nights at Freddy’s.
Lillard has spoken about a career resurgence in recent years, referring to himself as “Matthew Lillard 2.0.” He has upcoming projects including a role in Mike Flanagan‘s television adaptation of Carrie. He also launched a Ghostface-inspired vodka brand.
The actor remains active in the horror genre and continues to engage with fans at conventions and screenings. His candid comments about Scream 7 have sparked widespread discussion about accountability in Hollywood and the consequences actors face when speaking out on political issues.
Also Read: Scream 7 Box Office Debut Smashes Franchise Records With Massive $64.1 Million Opening Weekend
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