Exciting news for fans of the iconic horror franchise: Matthew Lillard is set to return for Scream 7. Deadline has confirmed that Lillard, who captivated audiences as the villainous Stuart "Stu" Macher in the original 1996 Scream film, will star in the upcoming installment. This announcement has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans about how Lillard's character could reappear, given the events of the first movie. Will he reprise his role as Stu, or will he take on a new character? While this remains a mystery, Lillard himself has teased his involvement through an intriguing Instagram post, which you can view below.
The return of Lillard adds to the excitement of seeing the original Scream cast reunite, as he joins Neve Campbell, who will reprise her iconic role as Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox in Scream 7. The film will also feature Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, rounding out a strong ensemble cast.
This news comes after a period of uncertainty for the project. The film faced significant challenges during its development, including the departure of star Melissa Barrera in November 2023 following her social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. Just a day later, it was announced that Jenna Ortega would also not be returning, leaving the Carpenter sisters, central to the series since Scream (2022), no longer involved.
Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon exited the project in December 2023, describing his experience as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." However, the film has found new direction with Kevin Williamson, the writer of the original Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, stepping in to helm the project.
Additionally, the directing duo Radio Silence, who helmed Scream and Scream 6, announced in August 2023 that they would not be returning to direct Scream 7 but will remain attached as executive producers. Guy Busick, who co-wrote the previous two films, is set to return and pen the screenplay for this latest installment.
Scream 7 is slated to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, promising to bring back the thrills and chills that fans have come to love from the franchise.
