Matthew Lillard is officially reprising his role as Stu Macher inScream 7, and there are a few interesting theories that could explain his return. Despite years of speculation that Lillard could appear in anotherScreammovie, it’s finally happening with the first installment directed by the franchise’s original creator/writer, Kevin Williamson. Lillard, however, won’t be the onlyoriginal cast member returning forScream 7, as the sequel also stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and the voice of Ghostface, Roger L. Jackson.
It’s clearScream 7’s storyis shifting focus because not only is Lillard returning, butScream 3’s Scott Foley is also returning as Roman Bridger in some form.Scream 7will notably be without stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, though half of the Core Four will appear based on Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy-Brown’s returns as Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin. It’s unclear what will be in store forScream 7’s characters and how Stu is involved, but we have some ideas to explain his return.
5A Flashback Set Around The Original Scream
Scream 7 Could Use De-Aging
Scream 3notably retconned the original movie, considering Roman Bridger claimed to be the mastermind behind Maureen Prescott’s murder. The death set off the events ofScreamafterRoman convinced Billy Loomis to carry out the Ghostface killings. Roman also suggested that Billy have a partner to pin the killings on, which was where Stu came in. We don’t know if Roman ever came in direct contact with Stu, but aScream 7flashback could shed more light on how Stu was recruited.
Even if Skeet Ulrich doesn’t return inScream 7as Billy, there can still be a flashback depicting an important moment in Stu’s history.
Any flashback that occurs aroundScream’s events would require de-aging since it’s been nearly 30 years since Wes Craven’s horror movie released. Even if Skeet Ulrich doesn’t return inScream 7as Billy, there can still be a flashback depicting an important moment in Stu’s history. With Roman also returning, the flashback theory seems a bit more likely and could provide a bigger connection between Roman and Stu.
4Hallucinations Like Billy’s Return In Previous Scream Sequels
While de-aged flashbacks are possible,the simplest way to bring Stu back inScream 7is to use the same trick from the last twoScreammovies. Through Sam’s hallucinations, Ulrich returned as Billy without being brought back from the dead. A version of dead Billy appeared inScream 5andScream 6, so a theory suggesting Stu will come back under similar circumstances makes sense, even if feels a little too repetitive.
Billy vs. Stu: Which Ghostface Killed Which Victim In Scream
Both Billy Loomis and Stu Macher wear the Ghostface mask and kill many victims in the first Scream, but who kills the most in Woodsboro and why?
After Billy’s return inScream 5, many fans hoped that Lillard would appear in Sam’s hallucinations. However, the hope stemmed more from fan wishes rather than from a logical story standpoint, especially since Sam had no connection to Stu. WithScream 7bringing back several characters that terrorized Sidney, maybe she ends up suffering from hallucinations involvingpast Ghostface killers.Perhaps Sidney even envisions some kind of alternate reality where Stu livedinScream’s ending.
3Shocking Survival After Scream
Scream 7 Can Undo Stu’s Death
One of the most popular theories surrounding Matthew Lillard’s return to thefranchise stems from the reveal that Stu shockingly survived inScream. Before Lillard was confirmed to return forScream 7, some fans had been vocal about Stu’s potential return after every sequel announcement dating back to 2011’sScream 4. Already seemingly dying from blood loss after Billy stabbed him, Stu had one final faceoff with Sidney, who ended up dropping a TV on Stu’s head, electrocuting him. In a surprising twist,Scream 7could walk back Stu’s fate.
If Stu did live, it makes sense why he would go after Sidney again, but it would be challenging to explain why he waited so long to reveal his survival.
There have been various theories explaining how Stu could’ve survived after his head was crushed by the TV. In fact,Mindy even references Stu’s death inScream 6, adding fuel to the long-running theory that he secretly lived and has been hiding out for decades. Going down that route would take a lot of convincing, but it’s a way to bring Stu back without flashbacks or visions. If Stu did live, it makes sense why he would go after Sidney again, but it would be challenging to explain why he waited so long to reveal his survival.
2A Callback To The Original Scream 3 Mastermind Plan
Scream 3 Almost Featured Matthew Lillard’s Return
Stu’s secret survival also ties into another theory surroundingScream 7’s story, and it serves as a callback to somethingScream 3considered. BeforeScream 3unveiled Roman as the ultimate mastermind,Lillard was nearly brought back with Stu meant to be the primary villain.Scream 3’s plan was to reveal Stu’s survivaland have him serve as the mastermind, controlling teenagers while in jail, but the events of Columbine High School changed the movie’s direction.
Scream 7 Is Finally Bringing Back The Most Divisive Ghostface From The Original Trilogy
The cast of Scream 7 is quickly growing, and now includes the return of the most divisive Ghostface killer from the original movie trilogy.
With Kevin Williamson in the director’s chair, it’s very possible that he would revisit scrapped story angles to incorporate intoScream 7. Bringing Stu back and saying he’s been in jail would be a retcon of sorts, seeing as there isn’t proper evidence supporting Stu’s survival. That said,using Stu as the mastermind could explain why the focus has shifted back to Sidneyinstead of Sam and Tara.
1Stu Returns With The Help Of AI
Scream Loves Technology Trends
TheScreamfranchise is known for its meta approach, whether its unique takes on the horror genre, society, or trends. For example,Scream 4heavily relied on technology and revealed Jill became Ghostface as part of a plan to become internet-famous. If the franchise continues the timely trend,Scream 7could highlight AI as an aspect of the next Ghostface.AI would also be a way to feature a version of Lillard’s Stu without saying he survived the first movie.
AI could be used to manipulate the characters, or the public as a whole, into believing Stu and Roman are still alive…
A theory onRedditgoes even deeper, suggesting that AI can be used by Stu’s in-universe fandom as they target Sidney to mess with her head. AI could be used to manipulate the characters, or the public as a whole, into believing Stu and Roman are still alive and responsible for killings, past or present. Lillard would need to return forScream 7to appear in the AI footage, but the method avoids any serious story retcons with lasting impact.
