All corners of the internet collectively lost their minds, and maybe their guts, when OG Scream cast member and mask wearer Matthew Lillard took to Instagram to post a subtle yet clear announcement, writing on a piece of paper the message “MY MOM AND DAD ARE GONNA BE SO MAD AT ME!!”, echoing his line from the first film.
With that, it’s official: Matthew Lillard will be reprising his role as Stu Macher for the latest entry in the Scream franchise. He will be joining a slew of other familiar faces to the franchise, including Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, Courteny Cox, Scott Foling, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown.
While Scream 7 has been long in the works, Lillard had been toying with the idea of his return for years. He’s no stranger to the fandom and hasn’t been shy on giving back to the love they have for his character, often attending horror conventions and meeting eager fans to sign their Ghostface collectibles and memorabilia. Many interviews, podcasts, and interactions see him theorizing Stu may not actually be dead, and how he could have survived from the first film and make a return to the series.
Lillard, who’s also known for his character Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo films, would continue in other notable films at the turn of the century, with the indie-cult classic SLC Punk! and another stint in horror with Thirteen Ghosts, along with beloved comedies like She’s All That and Without a Paddle. Lillard would later branch out to more dramatic work in the 2010’s with releases like the Clint Eastwood directed Trouble with the Curve, The Descendants alongside George Clooney, and the late, beloved David Lynch’s highly anticipated & long-awaited Twin Peaks: The Return (aka Season 3). His appearance in the show’s triumphant return for audiences who grew up both with the actor and the show separately marked perhaps the stepping stone for his own “return” to the horror genre for both old audiences and new.
This return was officially signaled with the release of Five Nights at Freddy’s in 2023, an adaptation of the highly popular first person horror video game series. It would go on to gross nearly $300 million worldwide, becoming production company Blumhouse’s highest grossing film to date, while also becoming the third highest box-office opening for a horror film ever (only behind the IT films starring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise). A sequel is now scheduled for release later this year. Lillard will also make his mark on the year collaborating with one of the biggest names in horror over the last few years, Mike Flanagan, acting alongside Mark Hamill and Tom Hiddleston in the Stephen King adapted The Life of Chuck.
A resurgence of popularity with old fans delighted to see Lillard back in the spotlight and younger fans discovering their new favorite horror icon has brought a lot of eyes on what Lillard will do next, and it seems no surprise the newly dubbed “scream king” is back to reclaim his title as a Scream king all his own.
We’re betting money on Stu dawning the mask again, but we won’t for sure until the movie hits theaters next year. Until then, stock up on your favorite Scream Ghostface masks while we anxiously await Lillard’s return.
Scream 7 is scheduled to be released in the U.S. on February 27, 2026.
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