Matthew Lillard is set to make a thrilling return to the iconic "Scream" franchise in "Scream 7," as reported by Deadline. Lillard, renowned for his chilling portrayal of Stuart "Stu" Macher in the original 1996 "Scream" film, is poised to star in this latest installment, sparking excitement and speculation among fans.
Given the dramatic conclusion of Stu in the first movie, fans are buzzing with curiosity about how Lillard will fit into the new narrative. Will he reprise his role as Stu, or perhaps take on a new character? Lillard himself has added fuel to the speculation with a teasing post on Instagram, which you can view below.
The return of Lillard marks a partial reunion of the original "Scream" cast, as he joins Neve Campbell, who will once again portray Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox in "Scream 7." The film will also feature Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, rounding out a promising ensemble.
The journey to "Scream 7" has been fraught with challenges. The project faced uncertainty following a turbulent development cycle, which saw star Melissa Barrera being dismissed from the film in November 2023 due to her social media posts regarding the conflict in Gaza. Shortly after, it was announced that Jenna Ortega, who along with Barrera played central roles as the Carpenter sisters since the 2022 "Scream" reboot, would also not be returning for "Scream 7."
Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon parted ways with the project in December 2023, describing his experience as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." However, hope was restored when Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter behind the original "Scream," "Scream 2," and "Scream 4," stepped in to direct.
Despite stepping away from directing duties, the "Scream" and "Scream 6" directing team, Radio Silence, will continue their involvement as executive producers for "Scream 7." Additionally, Guy Busick, who co-wrote the scripts for the previous two films, is set to return and pen the screenplay for this latest chapter.
Mark your calendars: "Scream 7" is slated to slash its way into theaters on February 27, 2026, promising another heart-pounding addition to the beloved horror series.
