Exciting news for horror fans: Matthew Lillard is set to return for Scream 7. Deadline has confirmed that Lillard, who brought the iconic villain Stuart "Stu" Macher to life in the original 1996 Scream film, will be starring 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? While this remains a mystery, Lillard himself has hinted at his involvement through an intriguing Instagram post, which you can see below.
The Scream franchise is bringing back some of its original stars, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell, who will once again portray Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox. Additionally, Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown are set to appear in Scream 7. This news comes after a rollercoaster of developments that at one point threatened the film's future. In November 2023, Melissa Barrera was dismissed from the project following her social media posts about the Gaza conflict. Shortly after, it was announced that Jenna Ortega, who played one of the Carpenter sisters central to the series since the 2022 Scream reboot, would not be returning either.
Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon stepped down from Scream 7 in December 2023, describing his experience as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." However, there's a silver lining with Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the first Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, taking the helm as director. Meanwhile, the directing duo Radio Silence, who helmed Scream and Scream 6, will not return to direct but will serve as executive producers. Guy Busick, who co-wrote the last two films, is back to pen the screenplay for Scream 7.
Scream 7 is slated to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, promising another thrilling chapter in the beloved horror series.
