Probably the most anticipated upcoming horror films on the way in which subsequent yr is the seventh Scream film. This time round, the return of Ghostface is particularly thrilling as a result of numerous legacy stars are becoming a member of Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott and new solid members, together with one of many first faces behind the masks: Matthew Lillard. When the unique Scream solid member was hit with a tough reality about his legacy within the franchise, he had the most effective response.
When Matthew Lillard walked the purple carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of The Life Of Chuck this week, a journalist with Leisure Tonight said how the unique Scream is about to show 30 years outdated subsequent yr whereas framing a query about his upcoming return. Right here’s how the actor responded:
Did you say Scream was turning 30 subsequent yr? That’s the rudest factor you possibly can say on the purple carpet. [Laughs] I’m leaving. That’s so imply. I actually had no concept the film was that outdated.
Matthew Lillard was all smiles within the interview as he known as the assertion “the rudest factor,” nevertheless it goes to point out the actor was in full shock the long-lasting film is near being three a long time outdated. Saying that form of factor does definitely expose Lillard’s age (he’s one way or the other 55, although he definitely doesn’t look it), and it doesn’t look like he was ready to ponder on the passage of time. I’m certain it looks like simply yesterday he performed Stu!
Scream premiered in Los Angeles on December 18, 1996 earlier than opening large in theaters two days later to what was thought of a low field workplace haul in its first weekend. Nonetheless, the Wes Craven horror film began to turn out to be a hit due to phrase of mouth and ended up being within the high ten films for 9 weeks whole, making it the thirteenth highest-grossing film of 1996 (per Field Workplace Mojo).
Scream was one in every of Llllard’s first films earlier than he later starred in his different well-known roles in SLC Punk!, She’s All That and Scooby-Doo. However since his character died within the first film, he’s not been in a position to return to the franchise since then. After years of followers theorizing about Stu’s dying and Lillard fanning the flames that Stu might be alive, the actor is formally returning for Scream 7. Right here’s what he stated about being again within the franchise:
I’m very grateful to be again. I’m excited to see the followers’ response, and I believe the film goes to be incredible… All I can let you know is that [Stu] is in Scream 7. That’s all I can say.
Lillard has been dodging spoilers left and proper since he was solid! Scream 7 is a curious one, as a result of not solely is Lillard again as Stu, Scott Foley’s Roman Bridger, who additionally died in a previous movie, is coming again too, and so is David Arquette’s Dewey Riley, who died within the fifth one. It does beg to query how on earth the writers are going to drag off having so many lifeless characters one way or the other come again to life for the following film, however we’re definitely prepared to search out out.
Scream 7 is being helmed by the unique Scream author Kevin Williamson from a screenplay by Man Busick, who additionally did the final two Scream films with James Vanderbilt. It was filmed earlier this yr and is about to hit theaters on February 27, 2026.