Scream confirmed Matthew Lillard in a complete new mild as he took on the enduring position of Stu in a horror film that set a completely new customary for the style, however because the actor is about to return in Scream 7, he displays on different actors who’ve introduced their very own aptitude into the franchise.
Lillard appeared within the 1996 horror movie Scream, the primary installment of the franchise, alongside Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Drew Barrymore, and Skeet Ulrich. It’s revealed that Billy Loomis (Ulrich) and Stu Macher (Lillard) had been the killers and operated because the masked killer Ghostface, searching for revenge for Billy’s household being destroyed by a homicide spree.
In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan for episode 1 of Going Methodology, Lillard addressed his previous with the Wes Craven-directed unique film in comparison with Kevin Williamson’s addition to the franchise with Scream 7. Initially, Stu was speculated to be the killer in Scream 3, however because of the setting, it felt insensitive to function a high-school-based plot following the tragic Columbine taking pictures that occurred earlier than filming commenced. Lillard mirrored on the selections that made him return:
Matthew Lillard: Effectively, let me inform you a pair issues. A few weeks earlier than I bought the decision, Kevin [Williamson] got here out and stated very publicly, “I do not assume the Scream franchise wants Matthew Lillard.” And I had been in a really, I believe, charming means advocating for myself to return again for 10 years. I used to be like, “Look, is that this a TV? I will drop a TV on my head proper now and show you could survive!”
I stated to my spouse, “Why would he say that? Dude’s gone on to do different issues. Why are you killing my goals?” Discuss crushing the excitement! However he then later stated, “The rationale I used to be saying that was you stored speaking about it. We knew that you just had been in Scream 7, so we wished you to shush it.” In some unspecified time in the future, they had been going to maintain it a shock till the film got here out, however very early on, anyone discovered that I used to be within the script and leaked it. So, then we needed to come to the general public and inform folks.
It is tremendous enjoyable to be again. From the whole lot I perceive, the film’s unbelievable. I am hopeful that I hope the followers are joyful, and I hope that individuals are excited to step again into the world with us.
I believe the fellows who had been doing it earlier than [Radio Silence] are wonderful. They do unbelievable movies. I assumed 5 and 6 had been incredible. I assumed Melissa Barrera was nice, and Jenna Ortega was nice too. The entire solid is nice. However there’s one thing good about Kevin coming again.
I do assume there is a completely different appeal between the early movies and the place the movies had been going. I believe they had been turning into extra violent and extra of the time, and that is a giant departure from the cat-and-mouse factor that occurred within the first couple of flicks. I believe this one has plenty of these [early] components that we’re all hoping followers actually admire.
Controversy surrounded Scream 7 following the firing of Melissa Barrera and the departure of Jenna Ortega from the franchise after Barrera made feedback on her social media following the Israel-Gaza battle. Studiocanal deemed her feedback antisemitic and let the actress go, which led to protesters outdoors the premiere of the newest film and many individuals boycotting and avoiding watching Scream 7 in solidarity with Barrera.
Lillard’s return to the franchise was a enjoyable shock for longtime followers of Scream, because it had been 30 years since he appeared because the Ghostface killer Stu, who was seemingly killed within the first film. It has been reported that plans are already in place for Scream 8, nevertheless it’s unclear if Lillard will return for that film, additionally.
Scream 7 is now in theaters.
- Launch Date
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February 27, 2026
- Runtime
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114 Minutes
- Director
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Kevin Williamson
- Writers
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Kevin Williamson, Man Busick, James Vanderbilt
- Producers
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William Sherak, Paul Neinstein