Even as the sequel looks to be bringing back multiple franchise vets, Matthew Lillard has a blunt response to his Scream 7 return chances. Lillard shot to prominence in a co-starring role as one of two Ghostface killers in Wes Craven’s 1996 meta-slasher classic, which starred Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, and Rose McGowan. Though Lillard’s Stu has not returned in subsequent installments, the fan-favorite has been at the forefront of many theories and narrative conspiracies surrounding his potential return to the franchise.
During a recent interview with GameSpot at New York Comic Con, Lillard gave his verdict on the chances of his character returning for Scream 7. Joking about how he was Neve Campbell’s understudy and had been working on his “girlish figure” and that he would have to shave his beard for the role, the star revealed that he was not going to appear in the next Scream movie, but also admitted that he would gladly lie to audiences about it either way. Check out the 54-year-old’s comment below:
No, I’m not in the movie. And even if I was, I would lie direct to your face. Directly to your face. Until the day it came out, I would just lie to you.
What This Means For Stu’s Scream Franchise Future
The Franchise Legend Has Always Been A Popular Figure In Fandom
It is worth noting that Stu was seemingly killed by protagonist and final girl Sidney Prescott at the end of the first Scream movie, by having a TV set smashed over his head. Since then, Lillard has not made any appearances in the franchise, except for a curious uncredited extra role in Scream 2, where he was credited as “Guy at Party“. Since Lillard’s appearance in the franchise, there have been 14 other Ghostface killers in film and TV, but, as part of the original duo, Lillard’s unhinged killer remains as iconic as ever.
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Lillard has left his response as vague as possible, ruling himself out in one breath, before hinting he could return in the next. There has long been conjecture among the Scream fanbase as to whether Stu would return, with prominent Stu Macher fan theories suggesting the legacy character survived the events of the first movie, and had been influencing Ghostface killings ever since. Whether viewers will actually be able to enjoy seeing Stu return to the franchise again remains to be seen, but there is little question it would be a popular step for viewers.
Our Verdict On Whether Stu Macher Will Return
The Time For Lillard’s Scream Return Has Passed
Lillard seemingly enjoys leaving his comments intentionally vague, but I think it would be a stretch for Stu to return to the franchise after all this time. The character was fairly definitively killed in the first movie, and even if he wasn’t, it seems improbable that he would be the mastermind behind all the subsequent Ghostface slayings. Whilst audiences will be keen to see the character make a comeback, I just can’t see it, but with Campbell scheduled to return for Scream 7, the legacy of the series will be able to continue via these fan favorites.
Source: GameSpot/Twitter