Scream 7’s Matthew Lillard Was ‘Heartbroken’ Over Director’s Statement at First

Scream 7 star Matthew Lillard explained why he was “heartbroken” after hearing director Kevin Williamson‘s comments about his character from the iconic horror franchise.

What did Matthew Lillard say about being heartbroken over Kevin Williamson’s comments?

In Scream, Lillard played Stu Macher, one of the Ghostface killers who acted as an accomplice to Billy Loomis. Stu died at the end of Scream when a television fell on his head and electrocuted him.

Scream is known for bringing back legacy characters, even ones that have died. Skeet Ulrich, who played Billy Loomis, reprised his role in Scream VI even after his character died in the original movie.

Lillard has campaigned for Stu’s return. However, Williamson previously confirmed Stu’s death when asked if the character survived and could ever return. Those comments hurt Lillard, which is why Williamson’s request for Stu to come back in Scream 7 surprised him.

“I’ll never forget when I read that,” Lillard said of Williamson’s comments (via EW). “I was heartbroken, because I was like, ‘Why isn’t Kevin just minding his business?’ You know? ‘Why does he gotta go out there and shoot a man down?’ I mean, come on, dude. Give a kid a chance!”

Stu is not the only murdered character returning for Scream 7. David Arquette is set to reprise Dewey Riley, who died in Scream 5. Scott Foley also returns as Roman Bridger, the Ghostface killer who died in Scream 3.

After Williamson’s call, Lillard didn’t put much thought into the decision. He finally got what he wanted all these years.

“I will say this: It didn’t really matter to me in what capacity Kevin wanted me to come back,” Lillard added. “At the end of the day, I think the reason I was so excited about it was ’cause I had been fighting to come back. I was openly campaigning for years.”

Scream 7 opens in theaters on February 27, 2026.

Source: Comingsoon.net