Matthew Lillard is making a shocking return to the Scream franchise, reprising his role as the fan-favorite slasher Stu Macher in Scream 7, as reported yesterday by Deadline. Lillard celebrated the announcement with a handwritten note on social media featuring one of Stu’s most iconic lines:
“My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!”
Last seen in Scream (1996), Stu met his (apparent) demise when Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) dropped a TV on his head, electrocuting him. But with Scream’s tradition of meta-commentary and unexpected twists, could Stu have survived? Or will his return take a different form?
From a Lost Script Idea to a Fan Theory Cult
For decades, fans have debated Stu’s fate, largely driven by Scream creator and Scream 7 director Kevin Williamson‘s original concept for Scream 3. One of his early ideas reportedly involved Stu surviving and orchestrating a new killing spree from prison. However, as the franchise evolved and took a different direction, reintroducing him in a believable way became increasingly difficult—so much so that even Williamson later dismissed the idea of resurrecting previously dead characters.
The franchise has acknowledged this persistent fan theory through clever easter eggs. In Scream (2022) and Scream VI, there are references to Stu’s fate—most notably when, in the sixth chapter, Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) teased, “If you believe he’s dead,” while standing near the infamous TV that supposedly killed him.
It Was Stu All Along
Lillard’s love for Scream is no secret. Over the years, he has been a major presence at conventions and panels, embracing the franchise and its passionate fanbase. But this isn’t his first time resurfacing in the franchise—just not as Stu.
He has already made two uncredited cameos. In Scream 2 (1997), while visiting the set during his then-relationship with Neve Campbell, Wes Craven placed him in the background of a fraternity party scene. In Scream (2022), he provided a voice cameo during the toast to Wes Hicks (Dylan Minnette), which was also a heartfelt nod to the late Wes Craven.
With Scott Foley also joining, and now Lillard confirmed, speculation has run wild about other past characters making a comeback. Could Scream 7 bring back Oscar nominees Laurie Metcalf (Scream 2’s Nancy Loomis) or Mikey Madison (Scream 2022’s Amber Freeman)? Or could it be fan-favorite Emma Roberts (Scream 4’s Jill Roberts) returning for revenge from beyond the grave?
As for how Stu will be integrated into Scream 7, theories range from dream sequences, flashbacks, or hallucinations (similar to Billy Loomis’ spectral appearances for Sam Carpenter) to AI-driven resurrections of past Ghostfaces. But could Williamson’s original idea—Stu actually being alive—finally come to fruition?
For now, details remain under lock and key, and fans will have to wait until Scream 7 slashes its way into theaters on February 27, 2026, to find out.
