In recent years, original horror films have enjoyed significant box office success, and it’s always exciting to see fresh perspectives that bring innovative ideas to traditional tropes and narratives. However, my fondness for the Scream franchise remains unwavering, and with every new casting announcement, my anticipation for Scream 7 continues to intensify.
One major highlight in the latest casting news is Matthew Lillard’s return as Stu Macher. This announcement has sparked curiosity among fans who are left thinking, Didn’t Stu die in the original Scream? After all, Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell) did throw a television on him, which is not an injury one typically survives. This raises questions about his character’s return, and I must discuss an intriguing fan theory surrounding Stu.
Intriguing Fan Theory About Matthew Lillard’s Stu in Scream 7
In a discussion thread that speculated on the return of Matthew Lillard’s character, a Reddit user proposed that:
“Billy, Stu and Roman flashback before Scream 1996 where they plan Maureen’s murder… And I’d bet that we see the flashback from the perspective of a fourth person who was in the room with them. That fourth person is the killer in Scream 7?”
I find this theory captivating as it offers a plausible explanation for Stu Macher’s re-emergence while doing justice to the franchise’s roots. Imagine witnessing a scene where Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich), Stu, and Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) are plotting against Maureen. With Foley returning for Scream 7 as well, the potential for interaction between Stu and Roman is thrilling. It would be plausible for Billy to have discovered Roman, given their shared grievances against Maureen.
Moreover, Roman’s role in conjunction with Billy and Stu could lead to a rich narrative layer. Notably, while some fans felt underwhelmed by Roman’s reveal as Ghostface, I believe a flashback detailing how they forged their Ghostface alliance would add depth. Perhaps Roman initially aspired to join the duo but hesitated, only to seize the opportunity for vengeance after their demise.
This fan theory also provides a lens through which to examine the new Ghostface character set to appear in Scream 7. A lingering question remains about the film’s tone and the identity of the new Ghostface, especially regarding how they have continued to haunt Sidney Prescott all these years. If the new Ghostface aligns themselves with Stu, Billy, and Roman, it might offer a satisfying narrative connection. Given Stu’s goofy and naive nature, it would be intriguing to learn about this mysterious fourth character and whether they could be a relative or friend of the original killers, thus continuing the franchise’s legacy of horror.
Additionally, I admire this theory because it highlights how influential Stu has remained within the franchise, despite appearing in only one film. For instance, in Scream (2022), Stu’s nephew Vince Schneider (Kyle Gallner) made an appearance. Moreover, Stu’s alignment with Billy drastically altered the course of events in Woodsboro, leaving a lasting impact that has haunted final girl Sidney Prescott over the years. It’s exciting that Scream 7 is reintroducing Stu, and I eagerly await his return on screen.
Matthew Lillard’s Thoughts on Playing Stu in Scream
In a lighthearted moment on his Instagram, Matthew Lillard humorously penned one of Stu Macher’s memorable quotes: “My mom and dad are going to be so mad at me.” Over the years, Lillard has provided ample commentary regarding his return to the Scream franchise, most notably in a 2022 interview with Vulture. Lillard reflected on the filming process:
“Nobody was out trying to make an iconic movie. We were just trying to make the best movie possible, and quite frankly, it was a horror movie at a time when Wes Craven hadn’t made a good horror movie in a long time. So it wasn’t like there were great expectations, but there was the sense that we were all in.”
Interestingly, Lillard also addressed the speculation around Stu’s survival, stating:
“I was supposed to do Scream 3. I got paid for 3. Not really well, but I ended up getting paid for something I didn’t do because the idea was that I’d be running high-school killers from jail. Look, it’s a horror movie! Crazy things happen all the time. Have you seen Friday the 13th? Jason comes back — like Stu still could come back… There’s still hope for Stu.”
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