Matthew Lillard is set to return for Scream 7, marking an exciting development for fans of the iconic horror franchise. According to Deadline, Lillard, who portrayed the unforgettable villain Stuart "Stu" Macher in the original 1996 Scream film, will star in the upcoming installment. This news has sparked curiosity about how Lillard will fit into the narrative, especially given the fate of his character in the first movie. Whether he will reprise his role as Stu or take on a new character remains a mystery. Lillard hinted at his involvement through an intriguing post on Instagram, which you can view below.

The original Scream cast is reuniting in part for Scream 7, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell, who will reprise her iconic role as Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox. Other cast members include Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, adding to the anticipation surrounding the film.

The journey to Scream 7 has been fraught with challenges. The project faced uncertainty after a turbulent development phase, highlighted by the departure of key actors. Melissa Barrera was fired from the movie in November 2023 following social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. Shortly after, it was announced that Jenna Ortega would not be returning, resulting in the absence of the Carpenter sisters, who were central to the series since the 2022 Scream reboot.

Further complicating matters, director Christopher Landon left the project in December 2023, describing his experience as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." Amidst these changes, Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the first Scream, Scream 2, and Scream 4, has stepped in to direct. Meanwhile, the Scream and Scream 6 directing team, Radio Silence, announced in August 2023 that they would not return to direct Scream 7 but will serve as executive producers. Guy Busick, who co-wrote the previous two films, is back to pen the screenplay.

Scream 7 is slated to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, promising to bring new thrills and perhaps some nostalgic surprises to fans of the long-running series.