Matthew Lillard is officially returning to theScreamfranchise inScream 7, and attentive viewers may have noticed that there have been multiple hints over the years suggesting Stu Macher would be back. Now thatDeadlineannouncedMatthew Lillard will be coming back forScream 7, the next question is what his role could be in the new movie after his fate inScream. One of the firstpeople to don the Ghostface maskback in the 1996Scream, Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher is as much a part ofScream’s fabric as Sidney Prescott and Gale Weathers.
Stu Macher was never themost likable character inScream, but he was certainly hard to look away from, and Lillard’s portrayal of the annoying, immature, hanger-on will be frustratingly familiar to many viewers. He may not be likable, but he’s a lot of fun thanks to Lillard’s eccentric and committed performance. Matthew Lillard has had a prolific, if somewhat unremarked career, most notably playing and voicing Shaggy inScooby-Doo!projects. Recently,Lillard returned to horror inFive Nights at Freddy’s, and now he’s staying in the genre withScream 7.
Stu Macher Was Electrocuted To Death At The End Of Scream
Stu Was Revealed As Billy Loomis' Secret Accomplice
Stu Macher startedScreamas just another member of the friend group at Woodsboro High School, equally as perplexed about the spate of killings as everyone else. Throughout the film, he has a cavalier attitude about the murders, often making lame and insensitive jokes about the people who are killed.His odd attitude surrounding the deaths is explained when it’s revealed that Stu is working with Billy Loomis(Skeet Ulrich), and both young men are the Ghostface killer, taking turns under the mask to make it look like the killer is in two places at once.
Matthew Lillard’s Scream 2 Cameo Explained & How It Set Up Stu’s Return
Matthew Lillard returned to Scream 2 for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo. But it is unconfirmed whether he was reprising the role of Stu Macher.
Stu seemingly just enjoys the fun of wearing the mask and killing, with a side of being jealous of Sidney Prescott (Campbell) and Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore). Billy and Stu stab one another to make it look like they are victims, but Billy pushes his knife in a little too deep, and Stu begins bleeding profusely. After Billy is knocked out, the dying Stu chases after Sidney but gets his hand bit, is smashed with a vase, and then has a TV dropped on his head, electrocuting him to death.
There Were Some Hints That Stu Was Still Alive
Later Scream Movies Included Nods To The Character
While his death seemed permanent, there were alwaystheories about Stu Macher, many of which suggested he still lived. There are hints dotted throughout theScreamfranchise that bolstered these theories. InScream 2, Matthew Lillard makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it uncredited cameo as a guy at the party. Then, it was later revealed that there was aScream 3draft that had Stu survivingthe events of the originalScream. This version of the third movie would have Stu masterminding the murders from his jail cell.
Stu and Billy are the only same-gender Ghostface pairing in theScreamfranchise.
All these breadcrumbs suggest theScreamcreative team never forgot about Stu, and it always felt like a possibility that Matthew Lillard could return. Unlike other Ghostface killers,Stu’s death felt a little less permanent despite having a television dropped on his head. Other Ghostfaces get the double-tap treatment, but not Stu.
Matthew Lillard Teased That He Might Be Returning
Lillard Said If He Was Ever Coming Back, He Would Lie About It
Before it was announced that Stu Machard would be returning toScream 7, Matthew Lillard discussed his character returning inScream 6. When asked if he would be returning for that movie, he said (viaUSWeekly),
“Listen, nobody’s called me. I know they go into production, like, next week, so I am not in it. Unless of course I’m totally in it and I’m lying to your face.”
The implication is that if Lillard were to ever return to theScreamfranchise, he wouldn’t be the first person to say something. Over a year later, in December 2023, Lillard talked about his possible return to the franchise (viaEW),
“I don’t think so. I don’t think so. I mean, look, with what they’re going through right now, I have no idea where that goes. If there’s a world where it makes sense, then sure. I mean, they keep mentioning it, they keep tip-toeing around the outside.”
Astute fans should have noted that Lillard had already previously stated he would likely lie about his status in the franchise if he did ever return. Had they had that in mind, it may have been less of a surprise that Stu would becoming back forScream 7.
How Stu Can Come Come Back In Scream 7
Sidney Prescott And Stu Have A Violent History
Though it’s been announced that Stu Machard will be back inScream 7, it’s yet to be revealed in what capacity. His character’s vague motives seemed to mostly be wrapped up with Sidney, if anyone. WithNeve Campbell returning to the franchise after refusing to participate inScream VIdue to a pay dispute,it’s possible that her and Stu’s return are somehow linked this time around. Stu comes from a time in theScreamfranchise that is spoken about almost like its legend.
Scream 7could include some relevant commentary about some people trying to retroactively uphold terrible people as “actually” good people.
Perhaps with an entirely new cohort of characters, save for some returners, people will no longer view Stu as a murderous monster.Scream 7could include some relevant commentary about some people trying to retroactively uphold terrible people as “actually” good people. Perhaps. Stu could find a group of fans who think he was somehow “misunderstood” or “mischaracterized”. It would give Stu the perfect opportunity to kill again, this time with the support of a large swathe of supporters.
Violence And Gore Is Not What Scream Is About
Matthew Lillard said in an interview that (viaGamesRadar),
“I thought the movie got too violent. I think 6 was, like… I don’t think Ghostface ever needs a shotgun. I think that the movies are – everything is trying to repeat what we did in the first movie in a lot of ways. Like, a maniacal monologue at the end. It’s really hard to do. I hope that Kevin takes it in a brand new, brave, and exciting direction so that we can sort of find different colors and different joys.”
It seems that Matthew Lillard is worried theScreamfranchise is taking too many pages out of the ultraviolet horror movies that have been popular of late, like the Ti WestXfilm series,Evil Dead Rise,Thanksgiving,Terrifier 3, and other bloody horror films. Stu could be a chance for the franchise to return to the basics. Stu delights in playing Ghostface, wielding a knife as his only weapon. If it does turn out that Stu is the villain, this could be the chance for him to show the new people how it’s done inScream 7.
