AceShowbiz - Scream 7 marks a highly anticipated return for fans as original cast member Matthew Lillard revisits his iconic role as Stu Macher. The actor, known for his chilling portrayal of one of the Ghostface killers in the 1996 classic, shared his thoughts on the new installment and commended co-stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega for their standout performances in the franchise’s latest chapter.

In an in-depth interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan on episode 1 of Going Method, Lillard reflected on his history with the franchise and the evolution of the Scream series. He contrasted the original Wes Craven-directed film with the current iteration under writer and director Kevin Williamson’s guidance. Notably, Lillard revealed that his character Stu was initially intended to be the killer in Scream 3, but the plan was scrapped due to sensitivities following the Columbine tragedy, which occurred before filming began.

Lillard recounted the surprising journey of his return to the franchise: “A couple of weeks before I got the call, Kevin [Williamson] publicly said, ‘I don’t think the Scream franchise needs Matthew Lillard.’ I had been advocating for myself to come back for about 10 years,” he said. “I was like, ‘Look, is this a TV? I’ll drop a TV on my head right now and prove that you can survive!’”

He also shared his initial confusion and disappointment, telling his wife, “Why would he say that? Dude’s gone on to do other things. Why are you killing my dreams?” However, Lillard explained that Williamson later clarified the comment was meant to keep his involvement a secret as the production wanted to maintain a surprise until the movie’s release. Unfortunately, an early script leak forced the studio to confirm his appearance prematurely.

Despite the rocky start, Lillard expressed enthusiasm about returning, praising the film and its cast: “It’s super fun to be back. From everything I understand, the movie’s incredible. I hope fans are happy and excited to step back into the world with us.”

He complimented the previous films and the new directors, Radio Silence, stating, “I think the guys who were doing it before are amazing. They do incredible films. I thought 5 and 6 were fantastic. I thought Melissa Barrera was great, and Jenna Ortega was great too. The whole cast is great.”

However, Lillard also noted a tonal shift in the franchise over time, observing how the series had become more violent, moving away from the original cat-and-mouse suspense style. He suggested that Scream 7 brings back many elements from the early movies that longtime fans appreciate.

Alongside the excitement surrounding Lillard’s comeback, the film has faced controversy. Following Melissa Barrera’s social media comments related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, Studiocanal terminated her contract, citing antisemitic statements. Jenna Ortega also departed the franchise amid these events. This decision sparked protests outside the film’s premiere and calls for boycotts from supporters of Barrera.

Despite the divisive atmosphere, Scream 7 premiered on February 27, 2026, and is currently in theaters. Fans have been surprised and excited by Lillard’s return, which comes 30 years after his original appearance as the Ghostface killer Stu, a character who was presumed dead in the first film.

Looking ahead, reports indicate that plans for Scream 8 are already underway. However, it remains unclear whether Lillard will reprise his role in the upcoming sequel.

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