New Inside Scoop Reveals How Matthew Lillard’s Stu Makes His Chilling Return in ‘Scream 7’

Matthew Lillard confirmed several weeks ago that he is finally coming back to the Scream series in ‘Scream 7’ as the star confirmed with his Instagram post. Fans remember him as Stu Macher, one of the original Ghostface killers from the 1996 film directed by Wes Craven.

His return is unexpected since Stu was last seen being crushed by a heavy CRT television, which seemed to kill him. But in horror movies, death isn’t always final, and now, almost 30 years later, he’s back.

How Stu is returning is still a mystery. Some believe he somehow survived, while others think he could have a twin or even be part of something supernatural. Lillard himself has teased the idea that Stu might still be alive.

Now industry insider Daniel Richtman shed some more details on his return.In the movie the killer will reportedly use FaceTime to call people, but here’s the twist — they use deepfake and AI to make themselves look and sound just like Stu.

This is done to scare Sidney and her family by making them think Stu is back, even though he’s supposed to be dead. So, it’s not really Stu, but a fake version of him made with technology to mess with their heads.

This makes sense taking into account some previous rumors related to Lillard’s role. Previous rumors claimed Stu would actually be an important part of the story. Instead of a small cameo or a quick nod to the past, his return will have a real impact on the plot. However, the details of how and why he’s back remain unclear.

He’s not the only character making a shocking return—Scott Foley’s Roman Bridger from Scream 3 is also coming back. What that means for the story is still unknown.

The latest Scream sequel is bringing together a mix of returning and new cast members. Neve Campbell is back as Sidney Prescott, joined by Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers. Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown will reprise their roles, while franchise newcomers include McKenna Grace, Isabel May, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Sam Rechner, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, and Mark Consuelos.

McHale’s role as Sidney’s husband, Mark Evans, has also raised questions about the fate of Patrick Dempsey’s Mark Kincaid.

Kevin Williamson, who wrote the original Scream, is stepping into the director’s chair for Scream 7, with Guy Busick handling the script. Production is already underway, and the film is set to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.

For now, one thing is certain—Stu Macher is back, and Sidney Prescott is once again in danger. How it all plays out remains to be seen, but Scream 7 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable entries in the franchise.

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