(NEXSTAR) — Despite the fact that we all assumed his killer character Stu Macher died at the end of 1996’s “Scream,” actor Matthew Lillard has been confirmed to be returning for the forthcoming “Scream 7,” according to Deadline and seemingly confirmed by Lillard in a Thursday Instagram post.
In the video, a disembodied hand is seen writing on a white sheet of paper, “My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!!”, one of Stu’s many quotable lines from the iconic slasher film.
The announcement is the latest major casting news related to the seventh sequel of the popular franchise. Earlier in the day, Deadline also confirmed the news of another legacy character return — and it’s another former Ghostface killer.
The entertainment news outlet made the exclusive announcement Thursday that Scott Foley, who played Roman Bridger in 2000’s “Scream 3” (and also was presumed dead) will return for “Scream 7.”
These announcements come off the heels of a series of bad publicity and casting issues for the seventh sequel which began in November 2023, when “Scream” (2022) and “Scream VI” star Melissa Barrera was fired from the seventh film over her pro-Palestine social media comments amid the Israel-Hamas War. In one post, Barrera referred to the incidents in Gaza as “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing,” and called for help for people in Gaza.
Spyglass, who currently owns the franchise, released a statement saying it considered Barrera’s comments “anti-Semitic,” which the company said it had “zero tolerance for.” The company called Barrera’s statements “false references to genocide” and “Holocaust distortion,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Following her firing, many franchise fans and “Scream” alums (including Lillard) showed support for Barrera and online. Some called for fans to boycott “Scream 7.” In further devastating news for the project, the very next day, star Jenna Ortega announced her departure from the series due to scheduling conflicts. While the decision had reportedly been made ahead of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, the timing for the second of two main protagonists from the fifth and sixth films to also leave the project couldn’t have been worse.
Barrera and Ortega portrayed sisters Samantha Carpenter and Tara Carpenter, respectively.
Following Barrera’s firing and the backlash against the decision, Christopher Landon, who was previously attached to direct the seventh film, posted and deleted a statement in support of Barrera, saying “This was not my decision to make.” Landon, who previously directed slashers like “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky,” left the project in December 2023, as reported by Variety.
“It was a dream job that turned into a nightmare,” Landon said in an announcement. “My heart did break for everyone involved. Everyone. But it’s time to move on.”
The loss of two of its stars resulted in the project needing to be massively overhauled and focally shifted away from the Carpenter sisters, Variety explained in November 2023. This included potentially bringing in other legacy characters.
Though series star Neve Campbell chose not to return for “Scream VI,” calling the studio’s salary offer “not respectful,” the actress announced she would be returning for “Scream 7” in March 2024. Campbell, who plays series protagonist Sidney Prescott, said her salary negotiations began “in a strong place” and that she felt “listened to.”
The “Scream 7” cast currently includes returnees Courteney Cox (who has appeared in every film), Mason Gooding, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Roger L. Jackson (the voice of Ghostface). Newcomers include Joel McHale as Sidney’s husband, Mark, and “Live with Kelly and Mark” co-host Mark Consuelos.
They’ll be joined by a roster of other newbies, in addition to Foley and Lillard — both of whom have the internet chattering about how and in what capacity. One popular theory is that one or both of the former Ghostfaces will appear in video footage, a trick that was used in “Scream 3” to give fans an appearance from the resident “Scream” movie buff Randy (Jamie Kennedy).
Lillard previously expressed his desire to return to the “Scream” franchise, telling horror news outlet Bloody Disgusting, when asked whether he’d return: “Yes! I’m alive! Stu is alive! You need to support me on this.”
Nexstar has reached out representatives for Lillard and Foley for comment.
“Scream 7,” which will be directed by series writer Kevin Williamson, began principal photography earlier this month in Atlanta, Deadline reports. The film is currently set for release of Feb. 27, 2026.