One of the questions that fans have leading up to the release of Scream 7 is how Matthew Lillard's deceased character, Stu Macher, will appear in the film.
The upcoming installment in the hit horror franchise will bring back most of the cast members from the previous films, including Lillard, whose character already met his demise in the very first movie. There have been fan theories that Stu Macher might still be alive after all this time, while some speculated that he would return through an AI form.
How Stu Macher Will Return in Scream 7
So far, the exact details regarding how Stu Macher will return in Scream 7 are still under wraps, since it is spoiler information that won't be revealed until its release.
Speaking with EW, Lillard shared his reaction when he found out that he would be returning in the upcoming installment.
"I was on a walk. I was on a business call with my company, Find Familiar Spirits. I put them on hold because [director] Kevin Williamson called me in the middle of the day," he recalled.
"I was like, 'That's really weird.' So the moment is immortalized in my mind. I picked up the phone, and we had small talk for five minutes, and it was like, 'Do you want to come back?' I literally was like, 'Oh my!' I, like, screamed."
When Lillard shared his concerns with Williamson about his character's return, he said that the director was "like, 'I wanted you to shut up because I want you in the film.'"
The actor also shared that he has not told anyone about how Stu Macher will return, and he is promising to keep the details under wraps.
"I will tell you, if I have a secret, I am 90 percent gonna tell someone that I have a secret. And the weird thing is, I have not told a single soul about how or why Stu comes back," he said.
Lillard also claimed that the film has been "testing through the roof" and "fans are gonna be really happy."
What to Expect in Scream 7
In Scream 7, when a new Ghostface killer emerges in the quiet town where Sidney Prescott has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized as her daughter becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.
The cast includes Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, Sam Rechner, Ethan Embry, Tim Simons, and Mark Consuelos.
Aside from directing, Kevin Williams also serves as co-writer. The film is slated for release in theaters on February 27, 2026.
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