‘It’s Not Gonna Ruin The Franchise’: Scream Icon Matthew Lillard On His Return As Stu In The Seventh Movie

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Horror movies are really popular again, which is great news for fans! We’re seeing a lot of classic franchises return with new installments, like the latest Scream movie – the seventh one. It’s especially exciting because original cast members, like Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher, are coming back. Lillard recently said he’s thrilled to be involved and confident the new film won’t damage the series, which is reassuring to hear.

Details about *Scream 7* are scarce, but fans are thrilled at the prospect of seeing familiar faces return. Neve Campbell is confirmed to reprise her role as Sidney Prescott, and surprisingly, Matthew Lillard will also be back, even though his character, Stu, died in the original *Scream*. Lillard recently shared his reaction to receiving the offer at Silver Scream Con (as reported by Bloody Disgusting), saying:

I remember thinking, ‘This is the call I’ve been waiting for my entire adult life!’ I was incredibly excited and can still picture the exact moment – where I was, what time it was, and even what I was wearing. I was out for a walk, and it’s one of those memories that’s just stuck with me.

Damian Lillard made a brief, surprising appearance in the 2022 film *Scream* as the Ghostface wielding a flamethrower. Now, the upcoming slasher film from Kevin Williamson appears to be bringing back the character of Stu. It’s unclear how this will happen, but fans are excited to see this beloved villain return alongside Neve Campbell, a famous star of the *Scream* franchise.

Paramount+ subscriptions start at $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year. You can stream the latest two *Scream* movies on the platform. Choose the Essential plan for basic access, or upgrade to the Premium plan for $12.99 a month to remove ads and access more content. An annual plan is also available, offering 12 months for the price of 10. See the deal here.

Fans have a lot of questions about *Scream 7*, particularly because Stu isn’t the only familiar face returning after being presumed dead. Scott Foley will reprise his role as Roman Bridger, and David Arquette is also coming back, even though his character, Dewey, died in the previous movie. While everyone speculates on how these returns will be explained, Matthew Lillard has promised fans that the next installment will be good. He stated:

It’s great to be back, and I think audiences are going to love this movie! The good news is, it definitely won’t damage the series – at least, I don’t believe it will.

It’s good to see the franchise still doing well. As a longtime fan, I was worried a new sequel might ruin the original’s reputation. Even without Neve Campbell, *Scream VI* managed to be a hit with its surprising plot, New York City location, and terrifying Ghostface villains.

There’s a lot riding on the next *Scream* movie, but the team behind it includes many of the original creators. Notably, Kevin Williamson, who wrote the first two films and helped produce the recent ones, is involved. He really understands what makes a *Scream* movie work, and that’s likely why Jamie Lillard feels optimistic about it.

We’ll find out everything about *Scream 7* when it comes to theaters on February 27th, 2026. With the release date only a few months away, hopefully we’ll get more details soon-especially how the characters who died in previous films will play a role.

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2025-09-17 17:10