Moviegoers have requested Matthew Lillard reprise his role as Stu Macker for years. Since his character received an ambiguous end in the original Scream movie, fans wondered where Stu would resurface. Every time a new installment hit theaters; speculation ran rampant. And now, the fanfiction centered around Stu's resurrection could become a reality.
While Lillard isn't attached to the upcoming Scream 7, he's the only killer left to haunt the titular characters. Between Sidney (Neve Campbell), Sam (Melissa Barrera), and Gale (Courtney Cox), they've put an end to anyone brave enough to wear a Ghostface mask—all except Stu. He seemingly died in the first movie when a television fell on his head, but killers have come back from much worse in the Scream universe. Plus, the villains always seem to verge on the supernatural side when it comes to how much punishment they can take while still trying to murder their victims. Stu could still be alive following the TV drop.
Another reason Stu is the best candidate to play the killer is Sidney's family. Paramount Pictures has cast Isabel May to portray the titular character's daughter, which doesn't tell us much by itself. But, the fact that Sidney has a daughter points to her finally settling down—without worrying about another Ghostface lurking in the shadows. The third and fourth installments asserted that Sidney remained in survival mode since her encounters with Billy Loomis, Stu Macker, and the proceeding copycats. So, having a daughter is an indication that things have changed.
Assuming that is the case and Sidney is content and at peace, Stu's resurgence would throw all that into disarray. She doesn't expect anyone from the past to seek her out, much less one of the first killers who changed her life. Adding Stu to the mix also creates the type of conflict the movie needs. It won't be very entertaining if the seventh entry follows Campbell and May's characters around for ninety minutes. They require an antithesis to make the plot interesting.
Lastly, the Scream franchise needs a catalyst to bring the seventh full circle with the original. Stu can serve that purpose since he's presumably the only character who can trigger Sidney the way past killers have done so. Remember, the first two movies left her traumatized—paranoid even—and rightly so. She was always looking over her shoulder, preparing for the next attack. Sidney glimpsing Stu in a mirror or walking through a crowd will send shivers down her spine. It'll be like Scream all over again. Never knowing where the attack will come from, who to run from, or who to keep at the end of a knife because they may betray her. Of course, that will only happen if Matthew Lillard returns.
Scream 7 releases in theaters on February 27, 2026.