OG Scream Star Matthew Lillard Is Back for Scream 7

Exciting news for fans of the iconic horror franchise: Matthew Lillard is set to return for Scream 7. According to Deadline, Lillard, who captivated audiences as the notorious antagonist Stuart "Stu" Macher in the original 1996 Scream film, will star in the upcoming installment. This revelation has sparked curiosity among fans, especially considering Stu's fate in the first movie. Will Lillard reprise his role as Stu, or will he take on a new character? The mystery deepens as Lillard himself teased his involvement on Instagram, as seen below.

The original Scream cast is reuniting to some extent, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell, who will reprise her role as Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox in Scream 7. The film will also feature Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, adding to the excitement.

This news comes after a rollercoaster of developments for the film. In November 2023, star Melissa Barrera was let go from the project following her social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. Just a day later, it was announced that Jenna Ortega would not be returning, leaving both Carpenter sisters, who had been central to the series since Scream (2022), out of the picture.

Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon stepped away from Scream 7 in December 2023, describing the experience as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." However, hope remains as Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the first Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, has stepped in to direct. Additionally, the directing duo Radio Silence, who helmed Scream and Scream 6, will not return to direct but will serve as executive producers. Guy Busick, co-writer of the previous two films, is back to pen the screenplay.

Scream 7 is slated to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, promising another thrilling chapter in the beloved franchise.