Matthew Lillard is officially returning for Scream 7, marking his long-awaited comeback to the slasher franchise. Entertainment Weekly confirmed his casting, and Lillard seemingly acknowledged the news by sharing a cryptic Instagram video featuring his iconic line from the 1996 original: “My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!”
Stu’s Possible Return
Lillard originally played Stu Macher, one of the first Ghostface killers, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis. Stu appeared to meet his end when Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) smashed a television onto his head. However, theories about his survival have persisted, especially after Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) referenced them in Scream VI.
The actor previously dismissed the idea of returning in a 2023 interview, saying:
“I don’t think so. I mean, look, with what they’re going through right now, I have no idea where that goes. If there’s a world where it makes sense, then sure.”
However, Lillard has also revealed that he was originally set to return in Scream 3, leading a group of high school killers from prison. Although that storyline was scrapped, he was still compensated for the role.
Dead Characters Returning to Scream
Stu is one of the few major characters from the original Scream who never reappeared in the franchise. Billy Loomis, despite being dead, returned in Scream (2022) as a hallucination haunting his daughter, Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera).
Now, with Scott Foley, who played Roman Bridger in Scream 3, also confirmed for Scream 7, it raises questions about how past Ghostface killers might be integrated into the new film.
Returning and New Cast Members
The upcoming installment features the return of franchise veterans:
- Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, making her comeback after missing Scream VI
- Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers
- Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown, reprising their roles from the last two films
New cast additions include:
- Joel McHale as Sidney’s husband
- Isabel May as Sidney’s daughter
- Mckenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, Anna Camp, and Mark Consuelos
Two key departures are confirmed:
- Melissa Barrera was fired due to her social media statements on Palestine
- Jenna Ortega exited the franchise shortly afterward
Release Date and Production
Scream 7 is directed by Kevin Williamson, the original creator of the franchise, and written by Guy Busick. It is set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.
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For more updates on Scream 7, stay tuned to Vviptimes.
Source: Entertainment Weekly, People, Collider.
