Scream legend returning from the dead leaving fans fuming over ‘cheap’ sequel twist-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

A legendary Scream character seems to have cheated death (Picture: THA/REX/Shutterstock)

An iconic Scream star has announced their return to the popular horror franchise after decades of rumours – but fans are split over the news.

Matthew Lillard is set to return to the role of Stu Macher who first appeared in the original 1996 movie as one of the original Ghostface killers alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis.

Despite seemingly being killed off by Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) when she dropped a TV on his head, 55-year-old actor Lillard has announced his return for the seventh film.

Deadline confirmed the news after the Scooby-Doo actor shared a teaser on Instagram, in which his hand could be seen writing one of Stu’s famous quotes.

All in capital letters, the writing stated: ‘My mom and dad are gonna be soo mad at me!! (sic),’ which Stu says while dying in the final showdown between him, Billy, Sidney, and Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox).

The news comes shortly after it was revealed Scott Foley, who played Sidney’s half-brother Roman Bridger in Scream 3, will also be returning to the franchise in the upcoming film despite being presumed dead.

Matthew Lillard has announced his return to the horror series (Picture: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)

He appeared in the first film as Stu Macher (R) (Picture: Miramax/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

He was one of the Ghostface killers who was seemingly killed by Sidney Prescott (Picture: Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

No details of either actor’s return storylines have been revealed, including whether or not they will be reprising the same roles.

The news has proved divisive among fans, with some ‘terribly disappointed’ to see a beloved character return in a seemingly back-from-the-dead arc, while others have abandoned the franchise following the exits of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega.

The actors played Sam and Tara Carpenter in Scream 5 and Scream 6 as Ghostface terrorised a fresh set of teenage victims.

In 2023, it was announced Barrera had been fired from the upcoming Scream 7 movie over her comments regarding Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza.

In an Instagram post, the In The Heights actress said that she came from a colonized country, posting a Mexican flag, and said ‘Palestine will be free.’

She also wrote: ‘Just like all Palestinians are NOT Hamas, All Jewish people are NOT the Israeli Govt. Do not blame, or hate on, a whole group of people because of what some are doing.’

Scott Foley is also set to star in the newest film after first playing Roman Bridger in Scream 3 (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

The news follows Melissa Barrera (L) and Jenna Ortega’s departure from the franchise (Picture: Paramount/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Barrera was fired following comments on social media about the Israel-Gaza war (Picture: Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)

‘Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp,’ a post read. ‘Cornering everyone together, with nowhere to go, no electricity no water.

‘People have learnt nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it all happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.’

Shortly after, Ortega and director Christopher Landon also departed the project.

Taking to X following the news of Lillard’s return, Mothmandalorian wrote: ‘Even if you set aside the obvious nostalgia bait PR moves they’re doing after fumbling Barrera & Ortega, this franchise is becoming everything it initially purported to satirize. it’s really sad to see, actually.’

Others said they ‘still won’t be watching’, while some said Scream ‘should have stopped at four films.’

Finnick said: ‘This franchise just lost all of its magical quality that it used to have.’

Many criticised the team behind Scream for their decisions after Barrera and Ortega’s exits (Picture: Paramount/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Others shared their excitement for the return of an original cast member (Picture: Miramax/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Scoby20 added: ‘Idk how to feel about this. I find it a cheap way to get fans back to this film based on just nostalgia after losing Jenna and Melissa.’

NyyBeats agreed, writing: ‘As a HUGE Matthew Lillard/Stu fan-Seeing the SCREAM franchise use him for damage control and him agree after all they’ve done is terribly disappointing.

‘Wanted this character to come back for years, but not to cover for s****y actions from Spyglass.’

‘Stu Macher crawling back from the dead? Either they’re bending the rules of reality, or Hollywood just can’t let a good villain rest,’ ChefVoxaPaws added.

However, others loved the video reveal of the character’s return and shared their excitement for the new movie.

‘Stu is back, baby, this next movie is gonna be epic,’ Hirak_Pixel wrote.

Many pointed out Lillard’s return was ‘obvious nostalgia bait’ (Picture: Paramount/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Neve Campbell is also set to return as Sidney in the seventh film (Picture: Dimension Films/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Evolnine added: ‘Great to have confirmation. Can’t wait for his return and see what they do with his character this time around! He was the best part of the first film!’

AJ Sison posted: ‘Scott Foley and Matthew Lillard, who previously played Ghostface and are presumed dead in the movies, are returning in Scream 7? I’m so confused, but you know what HELL YEAH!’

TheCinemaDog said: ‘I love how the recent Scream movies bring back past actors while also introducing great new ones.’

‘I’m gonna throw up!!!! Stu Macher is coming back to scream this is all i’ve ever wanted in my life when it comes to this franchise idec HOW he’s going to be scripted in IM HAPPY F**K YALL,’ Vvitch_blood said.

Lillard previously revealed there was a version of Scream 3 which would have revealed he survived in the original film, but plans for him to return were changed at the last minute.

He told Vulture in 2022: ‘I was supposed to do Scream 3. I got paid for 3. Not really well, but I ended up getting paid for something I didn’t do because the idea was that I’d be running high-school killers from jail.

Hayden Panettiere returned to Scream 6 as Kirby Reed, who we met in Scream 3 (Picture: Paramount/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

David Arquette returned to Scream 5 as Dewey Riley, only to meet his end (Picture: THA/REX/Shutterstock)

Billy Loomis has appeared to Sam Carpenter in visions in Scream 5 and Scream 6 (Picture: Miramax/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

‘Look, it’s a horror movie! Crazy things happen all the time. Have you seen ‘Friday the 13th’? Jason comes back — like Stu still could come back.’

It’s not the first time the franchise has seen a classic character return. Ulrich returned as Billy Loomis in both Scream 5 and Scream 6 in visions experienced by Sam, who it was revealed was his daughter.

Dewey Riley (David Arquette) returned for Scream 5, only to be killed by Ghostface, and Hayden Panettiere reprised her role as Kirby Reed for Scream 6.

While she did not appear in Scream 6 due to payment disputes, Campbell announced her return for Scream 7 last year, which also sparked controversy. Cox is also set to star in the film as Weathers.

Joel McHale was recently announced to be starring in Scream 7 as Mark Evans, the husband of Sidney, while Isabel May will play their daughter.

The Community actor will be joining Anna Camp, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Mckenna Grace and Sam Rechner as a newcomer to the franchise.

Other returning cast members include Mason Gooding and Jasmine Savoy-Brown, who played Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin respectively in the fifth and sixth films.

While plot details about Scream 7 are unknown, it is likely the movie will pit Sidney Prescott against the dreaded Ghostface once again.

Scream 7 is slated to hit cinemas in February 2026.

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