Matthew Lillard's Scream 7 Return Gets Enthusiastic Response From Fellow Ghostface Actor: "I Was So Ecstatic"

Feb 9, 2025 - 16:00

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Scream 7

Matthew Lillard as Stu looking bug-eyed at Jamie Kennedy's Randy in Scream

Matthew Lillard’s original Ghostface co-conspirator, Skeet Ulrich, has shared his excitement for the actor’s return in Scream 7. Ulrich, who played Billy Loomis, one of the original two Ghostface killers in 1996’s Scream, previously experienced his own return to the hit horror franchise in 2022’s Scream and its 2023 follow-up. Meanwhile, Lillard, who played Ulrich's friend and collaborator, Stu Macher, was officially revealed to be joining the Scream 7 cast in late January. Other returning franchise stars include Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown.

During a panel at this year’s MEGACON Orlando, at which ScreenRant was in attendance, Ulrich shared his reaction to learning of Lillard’s Scream 7 return. Revealing that Lillard was the one who personally broke the news to him, his former co-star expressed his joy at the actor’s forthcoming franchise return. Ulrich also pointed out that his enthusiasm stems from Lillard’s outspoken desire to reprise the role of Stu Macher. Check out what Ulrich said below:

Matt called me and told me when word came down. I was so ecstatic for you because anybody who has been to one of these [conventions], knows him, or has followed him knows how much he has wanted that, so I'm very happy for you.

Few Ghostface Killers Have Lived Up To Billy And Stu

In the years since the original Scream was released, the long-running horror franchise has introduced viewers to a long procession of Ghostface killers. Yet, for many avid franchise followers, few have had the appeal and quotability of Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. Nowhere did this become more apparent than the overwhelming response to Lillard’s recent Instagram announcement, which consisted simply of his classic line from the first movie: "My Mom and Dad are gonna be soo mad at me!!"

Scream Stu Macher Scream 6 Laura Crane and Ghostface

Scream 6 Shows Exactly Why Stu Macher Is 1 Of The Scariest Ghostface Killers In The Franchise

One specific moment in Scream 6 shows why Stu Macher is so terrifying and shows yet another huge challenge Scream 7 has to overcome.

Much as Ulrich suggests, Lillard’s return as Stu Macher is something that the actor has long petitioned for, and despite his character seemingly being killed by the television dropped on his head by Campbell’s Sidney Prescott, theories of his miraculous survival have been circulating for years. Moreover, Lillard has been a strong supporter of such fan theories, once claiming in a 2021 interview that, “Yes! I’m alive! Stu is alive! You need to support me in this!”

Our Take On Stu Macher’s Return

Lillard Coming Back As The Villain Is Too Predictable

Given that Ulrich has already been provided with his own opportunity to return as Billy Loomis, albeit as a hallucination, it is only fitting that his original partner in crime be given the same opportunity. Yet, whether Stu is still alive during the events of Scream 7 remains to be seen, and it is possible that Lillard’s actual return may only come in the form of flashbacks. Moreover, given the franchise’s penchant for twist endings, the idea of having Stu Macher back as the next Ghostface seems more like a potential red herring, rather than a legitimate story direction.

Scream 7

Release Date February 27, 2026

Director Kevin Williamson

Writers Kevin Williamson, Guy Busick, James Vanderbilt

Producers Cathy Konrad, Gary Barber, Marianne Maddalena, Peter Oillataguerre, William Sherak, Chad Villella, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, Ron Lynch