Summary

Cast of Scream 7 is sworn to secrecy about Ghostface & many dead characters returning.
Kevin Williamson briefly discussed Matthew Lillard's return as Stu Macher.
Scream 7, set for February 2026, may include beloved legacy actors alongside new cast members.

Just like Marvel stars can't spill plot points or character reveals, the cast of Scream 7 have been sworn to secrecy about Ghostface's identity and why there are so many dead characters coming back. Director Kevin Williamson recently gave an interview and briefly talked about Matthew Lillard's return as Stu Macher.

Williamson has had a unique and impressive career that has seen him crafting coming-of-age stories and also working extensively in the horror genre. Along with creating the popular teen dramas Dawson's Creek and The Vampire Diaries (the latter alongside Julie Plec), he wrote several horror movies including 2022's pandemic slasher Sick and I Know What You Did Last Summer. His latest TV show The Waterfront, a crime drama that follows a family in North Carolina, premiered on Netflix on June 19th, 2025. However, Williamson is perhaps best known for his connection to the Scream franchise. Besides writing Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, he has been a producer on every movie. Now that Scream 7 is done filming, it's fun to hear what Williamson said about Lillard's comeback.

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By Aya Tsintziras

Kevin Williamson Spoke Briefly About Matthew Lillard's Scream 7 Return

In an interview with The New York Post, Kevin Williamson was asked about what he could say about Matthew Lillard coming back as Stu Macher. The writer/director said:

"Nothing. Not one word.”

However, while Williamson couldn't share why Stu is back or what his storyline will be, he praised the actor and shared a nice story about Lillard learning Stu was going to be part of the slasher sequel. He said:

“But I will say, I love Matthew. And it was such a pleasure to call him up. They let me be the one to call and ask them back to the franchise. And that was a really nice phone call.”

Although Lillard said he was "slightly terrified" to play Stu again, fans have been waiting to see the beloved character for years. He previously said he was unsure that there was a place for Stu in Scream 7, but Stu is one of the most popular and memorable Ghostfaces. Audiences are still debating whether final girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) really killed Stu in the final scene of Scream. While she hits him with a TV set and many would say his injuries were fatal, not everyone thinks that was the end of him. Has Stu been around this entire time, hoping to get his chance to get even with Sidney? That's one big question that will be answered in the upcoming sequel.

In 2023, Lillard told Entertainment Tonight that an early Scream 3 screenplay featured Stu alive and in charge of "a collection of kids in high school that did horrible things." That storyline was altered when the Columbine High School shooting happened in 1999.

Stu Macher isn't the only horror role Lillard is reprising. He'll play William Afton again in Blumhouse's Five Nights at Freddy's 2, which will be in theaters on December 5th, 2025. Along with wondering what Lillard's character will get up to again, fans are excited to see Toy Freddy in the sequel.

Scream 7 will be in theaters on February 27th, 2026 and will feature a mix of legacy actors and new cast members. Stu will join past Ghostface Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) and beloved charming, compassionate Sherrif Dewey Riley (David Arquette). Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox are back as Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers. Some new characters include Sidney's husband Mark Evans (Joel McHale) and her daughter (Isabel May).

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