Fans are buzzing with anticipation, wondering if Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher will return for Scream 7. After his character’s iconic role in the 1996 original and several subtle nods in the sequels, many believe that Matthew Lillard’s Ghostface could make a comeback. The upcoming sequel, set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, is rumored to focus on Sidney Prescott’s story. Fans see this as the perfect opportunity to bring back Macher for a potential revenge storyline.
So, will Scream 7 feature Matthew Lillard’s return as Stu Macher? Let’s dive into the details.
What happened to Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher in Scream?
Stu Macher was killed at the end of Scream 1996.
In the final moments, Billy confesses about Stu being his accomplice and having killed Maureen. He states that Maureen’s romance with his father prompted his mother to depart from their lives. Moreover, Billy and Stu also abduct Neil, while acting to stab each other pretty deeply, while holding the latter accountable for their murders. However, Gale comes into the picture, allowing Sidney to strike back and escape. Sidney drops a TV on Stu’s head, which crushes his skull, leading to his unfortunate death.
Is Matthew Lillard returning as Stu Macher in Scream 7?
It’s not officially confirmed if Lillard will return to Scream 7 as Stu Macher.
Eagle-eyed fans have observed Lillard’s brief appearances in Scream sequels, which had them think that he could return for a seventh installment. For instance, Lillard appeared in Scream 2 as a background character wearing a blonde wig and plain white t-shirt at a sorority party.
Another example is a Scream 5 Easter egg which had Sam scrolling through YouTube, wherein a video pops up with the title “Did the real Stu Macher survive?”. These subtle shout-outs have developed a lot of theories on the internet suggesting a potential return of Stu Macher. Nevertheless, the makers haven’t confirmed if Lillard is likely to join the roster or not.
Lillard, however, has expressed his interest in working in the franchise again. He said, “I stand at the ready to serve the franchise as it needs to be served. Here’s the good news — they don’t need me. I think it would be fun, but it’s not up to me.” (via Collider)
