OG Scream Star Matthew Lillard Is Back for Scream 7

Matthew Lillard is returning for Scream 7. Deadline reports that Lillard, who memorably played the antagonist Stu Macher in the original 1996 Scream, will star in the upcoming sequel.

This news has Scream fans buzzing, especially considering Stu's fate in the first film. Will Lillard reprise his role as Stu, or will he take on a new character? The mystery remains, but Lillard himself hinted at his involvement in an Instagram post (see below).

The reunion is partially a gathering of original Scream cast members, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell (reprising her iconic role as Sidney Prescott) and Courteney Cox in Scream 7. Also starring are Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown.

This is significant news for a film that faced a turbulent production. In November 2023, Melissa Barrera was reportedly dismissed from the project following social media posts regarding the Gaza conflict. A day later, it was announced that Jenna Ortega would not return, meaning both Carpenter sisters, central to the franchise since 2022's Scream, were no longer involved.

Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon departed from Scream 7 in December 2023, describing the experience as "a dream job that turned into a nightmare." Kevin Williamson, writer of the first, second, and fourth Scream films, has since taken over directing duties.

Radio Silence, the directing duo behind Scream and Scream 6, announced in August 2023 that they would not return to direct Scream 7, though they remain executive producers. Guy Busick, co-writer of the previous two installments, is back to pen the screenplay.

Scream 7 is slated for release on February 27, 2026.