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 villainous Stuart "Stu" Macher in the original 1996 Scream movie, will be starring in the upcoming installment. This revelation has sparked curiosity among fans about how Lillard will fit into the storyline, especially considering Stu's fate in the first film. Will he reprise his role as Stu, or will he portray a new character? While the details remain under wraps, Lillard himself hinted at his involvement through an intriguing Instagram post, which you can check out below.
The anticipation builds as Lillard joins forces with returning stars Neve Campbell, who will once again take on the role of Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox. The cast also includes Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, promising a thrilling reunion for the Scream series.
The journey to Scream 7 hasn't been without its challenges. The film faced uncertainty after a turbulent development period, marked by significant cast and crew changes. In November 2023, Melissa Barrera was dismissed 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 the Carpenter sisters, central figures since the 2022 Scream reboot, 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 emerged when Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter behind the original Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, stepped in to direct. Additionally, the directing duo Radio Silence, who helmed Scream and Scream 6, will not return to direct but remain on board as executive producers. Guy Busick, co-writer of the previous two films, is back to pen the screenplay for Scream 7.
Mark your calendars: Scream 7 is slated to slash its way into theaters on February 27, 2026. As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await to see how this latest chapter unfolds with its mix of old favorites and new thrills.
