Key Takeaways
- Lillard supports a new direction for “Scream 7” and wants a return to a less violent Ghostface.
- The sequel should balance old and new elements to stay true to the franchise while also refreshing the concept.
- Fans can revisit Stu’s iconic character in the original “Scream” movie for some comedic relief.
I’m more ready for Scream 7 than any other upcoming release, but since the horror sequel isn’t being released until February 2026, I’m eager to read any interviews that the former or current cast members give. Matthew Lillard recently shared his thoughts on the Scream franchise in an interview with Games Radar and I agree with what he said.
As one of the most interesting Ghostface killers in the slasher franchise, I’ve always enjoyed watching Lillard’s character Stu Macher. As fans prepare to dive into Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) story in Scream 7, I’m also curious to hear what actors such as Lillard think about the past and future of the Scream franchise.
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When speaking to Games Radar, Matthew Lillard said of Scream 7:
“I think it’s in a good place. I think that [the movie being] back in the hands of Kevin Williams is great. I love what [Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin] were doing before. nothing against them. In fact, I thought they were taking a really exciting way.”
Lillard continued that there is one part of Scream 6 that he didn’t agree with: Ghostface using a shotgun. The actor said:
“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.”
While I love the scary opening sequence of Scream 6, I agree with Lillard that Ghostface felt too violent in the sixth movie. Sure, Ghostface is a villain, and he’s going to be dark and terrifying. But I don’t want Ghostface to use a shotgun, either. I want to see a return to form for Ghostface. The Scream movies are nothing like the beloved Saw franchise, which has some truly violent kills. Ghostface needs to use a knife, not a gun. There’s no reason to continue this trend from Scream 6.
I also agree with Lillard that Scream 7 should feature a familiar Ghostface but should also feel new. On the one hand, I want the sequel to feel like the first four movies, which are goofy, campy, clever, and funny. They have a sense of humor but also embrace the common tropes of a slasher story. On the other hand, I also think Scream 7 would be boring if it copied Scream.
If Williamson embraces a mix of new and old, I think he can find this perfect balance. I want to see new characters, like Sidney Prescott’s daughter. I also think Scream 7 has the opportunity to be genuinely scary, unlike most of the other films in the franchise. This will make it feel like its own thing. However, I also want to see an old-fashioned Ghostface in their regular costume and using their regular props, such as a cell phone and knife. Fans have interesting theories about Ghostface, and it will be cool to see if any of them come true. In the meantime, though, I’m hoping for the kind of Ghostface we all know and love.
Matthew Lillard’s Scream Character Stu Macher, Explained
Matthew Lillard’s Scream character, Stu Macher, has a humorous and compelling arc in the first Scream movie. Stu seems like an innocent character for most of the story. He and Sidney have been friendly for years, and she never suspects that he’s one of the two Ghostfaces.
Although Stu agrees to Billy Loomis’s (Skeet Ulrich) plan to go on a killing spree, Stu offers comedic relief throughout the entire film. There are some memorable quotes in Scream (2022), along with every film in the franchise, but Stu has the best line in the original movie. When Sidney catches Stu and Billy, Stu proves how young he is when he says:
“My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!”
Stu is such a funny and dynamic character that Scream fans wonder if Lillard could return to Scream 7. That is unlikely to happen, but at least fans of the slasher franchise can rewatch the 1996 movie and see the hilarious Stu anytime they want.
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