After almost three decades, Scream 7 is finally bringing back one of the Scream franchise’s most beloved characters. Long before Scream 7‘s release date arrives, the sequel has already been plagued by all manner of production problems. Scream 7 was originally intended to continue the story of Jenna Ortega’s Tara and Melissa Barrera’s Sam who, after Neve Campbell’s absence from Scream VI, effectively replaced her as the faces of the franchise. However, after Barrera was fired for social media posts and Ortega exited the project shortly later, Scream 7‘s plans changed radically.
First, original Scream 7 director Christopher Landon was replaced by Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson despite Landon’s box office success with the Happy Death Day series. Then, Campbell rejoined the series, reprising her role as Sidney Prescott. Her love interest Mark will also return, but he will be played by Joel McHale rather than Scream 3’s Patrick Dempsey. Scream 7 will also reveal Sidney’s hitherto-unmentioned daughter, and this is not the only surprise that the slasher sequel’s cast has in store for fans.
Scream 7 Is Finally Bringing Back Stu Macher After Nearly 30 Years Of Teases
Matthew Lillard’s Scream Villain Will Return In The Upcoming Sequel
After Scream VI made a brief reference to rumors of his survival, Matthew Lillard’s Scream villain Stu Macher will officially return in Scream 7. This might be the most anticipated return in the franchise’s history considering Scream’s other villain, Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis, has already appeared in 2022’s Scream and Scream VI. Billy and Stu remain the most popular Ghostfaces in the fandom, although Scream 3’s Ghostface actor Scott Foley will reportedly also have a role in Scream 7.
There have been theories that Stu survived Scream’s ending since the original movie was released.
While Matthew Lillard’s Scream 7 return is a little less surprising after his villainous turn in the smash hit horror video game adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s, the news will still come as a relief to some viewers. There have been theories that Stu survived Scream’s ending since the original movie was released, as his death isn’t technically depicted on-screen. Meanwhile, there were theories about how he could return, even if he hadn’t survived since Scream 2, but Lillard never ended up reprising the role.
How Stu Can Still Return Despite His Death In Scream (1996)
Scream 7’s Stu Macher Could Be A Ghost Or An Unlikely Survivor
It’s now confirmed that Lillard is going to be playing Stu in Scream 7, meaning he will finally grant the wish many fans have held onto since the original movie. However, although Lillard could have lived and could even be Scream 7’s opening kill, this seems unlikely. The fact that Foley is also returning, combined with Ulrich reprising his role as Billy in both Scream 2022 and Scream VI, makes it seem more likely that Lillard’s role will be a cameo as a ghost haunting Sidney.
It is possible that Lillard’s Stu could have survived the events of Scream, and Scream VI did surprise and delight viewers by revealing that Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby Reed secretly made it out of Scream 4 alive. However, Sidney’s absence means that Scream 7’s story will need to dig deep into the mind and heart of its heroine and Lillard’s return, along with Foley’s comeback, implies she is haunted by the ghosts of her past. Thus, Scream 7’s Stu role is more likely to be a ghostly comeback from the Scream franchise fan favorite.
