Exciting news for fans of the iconic horror franchise: Matthew Lillard is set to return for Scream 7. Deadline confirmed that Lillard, who captivated audiences as the chilling antagonist Stuart "Stu" Macher in the groundbreaking 1996 original, will star in the upcoming installment. This revelation has sparked curiosity and excitement, as fans ponder how Lillard can make a comeback considering Stu's fate in the first film. Will he reprise his role as Stu, or will he take on a new character? Lillard himself has fueled speculation with a mysterious Instagram post, hinting at his involvement:

The original Scream cast is reuniting, with Lillard joining Neve Campbell, who will reprise her role as Sidney Prescott, and Courteney Cox in Scream 7. The film also stars Scott Foley, Mason Gooding, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, promising a thrilling ensemble.

The journey to Scream 7 has been tumultuous. The project faced uncertainty after star Melissa Barrera was fired in November 2023 following her social media posts about the conflict in Gaza. Just a day later, it was announced that Jenna Ortega would not return, leaving both Carpenter sisters, central to the series since Scream (2022), out of the picture. In December 2023, director Christopher Landon also exited the project, describing it as a "dream job that turned into a nightmare." However, hope was restored when Kevin Williamson, the writer behind the first, second, and fourth Scream films, stepped in to direct.

Radio Silence, the directing duo behind Scream and Scream 6, announced in August 2023 that they would not return to direct Scream 7 but will remain as executive producers. Guy Busick, who co-wrote the previous two films, is back to pen the screenplay for this eagerly awaited sequel.

Mark your calendars: Scream 7 is slated to hit cinemas on February 27, 2026, promising another thrilling chapter in the beloved horror saga.