After almost three decades,Scream 7is finally bringing back one of theScreamfranchise’s most beloved characters. Long beforeScream 7’s release date arrives, the sequel has already been plagued by all manner of production problems.Scream 7was originally intended to continue the story of Jenna Ortega’s Tara and Melissa Barrera’s Sam who, after Neve Campbell’s absence fromScream VI, effectively replaced her as the faces of the franchise. However, after Barrera was fired for social media posts and Ortega exited the project shortly later,Scream 7’s plans changed radically.
First,originalScream 7director Christopher Landonwas replaced byScreamscreenwriter Kevin Williamson despite Landon’s box office success with theHappy Death Dayseries. Then, Campbell rejoined the series, reprising her role as Sidney Prescott. Her love interest Mark will also return, but he will be played by Joel McHale rather thanScream 3’s Patrick Dempsey.Scream 7will also reveal Sidney’s hitherto-unmentioned daughter, and this is not the only surprise that the slasher sequel’s cast has in store for fans.
Scream 7 Is Finally Bringing Back Stu Macher After Nearly 30 Years Of Teases
Matthew Lillard’s Scream Villain Will Return In The Upcoming Sequel
AfterScream VImade a brief reference to rumors of his survival,Matthew Lillard’sScreamvillain Stu Macher will officially return inScream 7. This might be the most anticipated return in the franchise’s history consideringScream’s other villain, Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis, has already appeared in 2022’sScreamandScream VI. Billy and Stu remain the most popular Ghostfaces in the fandom, althoughScream 3’s Ghostface actor Scott Foley will reportedly also have a role inScream 7.
There have been theories that Stu survived Scream’s ending since the original movie was released.
WhileMatthew Lillard’sScream 7returnis a little less surprising after his villainous turn in the smash hit horror video game adaptationFive Nights at Freddy’s, the news will still come as a relief to some viewers. There have been theories that Stu survivedScream’s ending since the original movie was released, as his death isn’t technically depicted on-screen. Meanwhile, there were theories about how he could return, even if he hadn’t survived sinceScream 2, but Lillard never ended up reprising the role.
How Stu Can Still Return Despite His Death In Scream (1996)
Scream 7’s Stu Macher Could Be A Ghost Or An Unlikely Survivor
It’s now confirmed that Lillard is going to be playing Stu inScream 7, meaning he will finally grant the wish many fans have held onto since the original movie. However, although Lillard could have lived and could even beScream 7’s opening kill, this seems unlikely. The fact that Foley is also returning, combined with Ulrich reprising his role as Billy in bothScream 2022andScream VI, makes it seem more likely that Lillard’s role will be a cameo as a ghost haunting Sidney.
It is possible that Lillard’s Stu could have survived the events ofScream, andScream VIdid surprise and delight viewers by revealing that Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby Reed secretly made it out ofScream 4alive. However, Sidney’s absence means thatScream 7’s story will need to dig deep into the mind and heart of its heroine and Lillard’s return, along with Foley’s comeback, implies she is haunted by the ghosts of her past. Thus,Scream 7’s Stu role is more likely to be a ghostly comeback from theScreamfranchise fan favorite.
