Matthew Lillard Returns as Original Scream Star in Scream 7

Exciting news for horror fans: Matthew Lillard is set to return for "Scream 7." According to Deadline, Lillard, who captivated audiences as the villainous Stuart "Stu" Macher in the original 1996 "Scream," will be making a comeback in the upcoming installment. This announcement has left fans buzzing with speculation about how Lillard could possibly reprise his role, given Stu's fate in the first film. Will he play Stu again, or take on a new character? Lillard has only fueled the mystery with an intriguing teaser on Instagram:

The "Scream" franchise is seeing a partial reunion of its original cast, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell, who will once again portray Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox in "Scream 7." The film will also feature Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, adding to the excitement.

This development comes after a rollercoaster of events that had fans worried about the future of the series. In November 2023, star Melissa Barrera was dismissed from the project due to her social media posts regarding the conflict in Gaza. Just a day later, it was announced that Jenna Ortega would also not be returning, leaving the Carpenter sisters, central to the series since the 2022 "Scream," out of the picture.

Further shaking up the production, director Christopher Landon stepped down in December 2023, describing his experience as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." However, the film has found new direction under Kevin Williamson, the screenwriter of the original "Scream," "Scream 2," and "Scream 4."

Although the directing duo Radio Silence, behind "Scream" and "Scream 6," announced in August 2023 that they would not be returning to direct "Scream 7," they will remain involved as executive producers. Guy Busick, who co-wrote the last two entries, is back to pen the screenplay for this highly anticipated sequel.

Mark your calendars: "Scream 7" is slated to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.