Scream 7: The Return of Old Ghostface Killers and New Details About the Plot

Two actors from the first Scream films are returning

By Konstantin Koos on 4 min reading time

New information for all "Scream" fans! As the trade magazine Deadline has learned, two old Ghostface killers are set to return for the 7th installment of the series. There are also new rumors about central themes of the film.

Matthew Lillard in Scream 7

One of the returnees is one of the Ghostface killers from the first "Scream". We are talking about Matthew Lillard's iconic character Stu Macher. He actually died at the end of the movie. However, that didn't stop the equally deceased other killer from part one from making a "Scream" return. Billy Loomis, played by Skeet Ullrich, appeared in "Scream 5" as a ghost or hallucination. Will this also apply to Stu in "Scream 7"? Possibly, but this option has already been used in "Scream 5". It is therefore questionable whether Stu will be brought back in exactly the same way.

Scott Foley in Scream 7

Deadline also reports that another killer is returning! Namely Scott Foley, who played Sydney Prescott's half-brother Roman Bridger in "Scream 3". Roman also died at the end of the third part. In an interview with the portal Collider, Foley said that he himself finds the way of his return plausible. However, he did not reveal exactly how the character will reappear.

AI and Deepfake in Scream 7?

Could the return of the Ghostface killers perhaps have something to do with the latest rumors about "Scream 7"? According to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman, central themes of the seventh installment will be AI and deepfake. It is still uncertain in what form these themes could be part of the plot.

However, it is already known when we can expect the new movie from director and franchise veteran Kevin Williamson: "Scream 7" will be released in cinemas on February 27, 2026. If you can't wait until then and want to find out more details, we recommend watching our preview. Enjoy!

Image of SCREAM 7 Movie Preview (2026) Sidney Prescott is back!

The Films of Matthew Lillard

Matthew Lillard is an American actor, producer and director who has starred in a number of movies and television shows over the last few decades. He is best known for his roles in teen and horror films of the 90s and early 2000s. Here we take a look at some of the best-known movies starring Matthew Lillard.

Scream

Matthew Lillard rose to worldwide fame with his role as Stu Macher in the first "Scream" film, a horror classic directed by Wes Craven. "Scream" revolutionized the horror genre of the 90s by commenting on the genre in a humorous and self-referential way. Lillard played one of the killers, Stu, who, together with Billy Loomis (played by Skeet Ulrich), brings the famous series of murders to life. The movie became a huge success and made Lillard a familiar face in the horror scene.

Scooby-Doo

One of his most distinctive and probably best-known roles over the years is that of "Shaggy Rogers" in the live-action adaptation of "Scooby-Doo". As the nervous but lovable dog owner Shaggy, Lillard displayed a perfect blend of humor and heart. The movie was a financial success and led to several sequels. Lillard also played the character in the sequel as well as in various other "Scooby-Doo" projects.

Hackers

Before Lillard took on the role of the iconic Shaggy, he also played a defining character in the cyber-thriller "Hackers", in which he acted as the "Cereal Killer" alongside Angelina Jolie. The film, which focused on the world of hackers and cybercrime, was a flop when it was released, but later became a cult classic. Lillard's character contributed to the special atmosphere of the movie with his eccentric character.

The Descendants

Matthew Lillard has also established himself as a serious actor. In "The Descendants", a drama by Alexander Payne in which George Clooney plays the leading role, Lillard appears in a supporting role. The film, which deals with the life of a family after a stroke of fate, was highly praised by critics and was a commercial success. Lillard gave a serious performance in this movie and proved his versatility as an actor.

Twin Peaks

Matthew Lillard also appeared in several episodes of the cult series "Twin Peaks". He played William Hastings in the 2017 sequel. The third season is celebrated by many fans and critics as a masterpiece. Creators David Lynch and Mark Frost broke with traditional narrative structures and unfolded the series in an experimental, often surreal style that challenged both fans and critics. In terms of plot, the series is difficult to describe; in principle, it was once again about the mysterious events surrounding the fictional town of Twin Peaks and the fate of Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan), who is confronted with a doppelganger of himself.

Five Nights at Freddy's

The film adaptation of "Five Nights at Freddy's" caused a sensation within the gaming community and among horror fans and was a real hit at the cinema in 2024. The story follows a security guard who watches over an abandoned restaurant at night and is soon haunted by sinister events. Matthew Lillard plays the villain William Afton, a role he will also portray in the sequel 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2'.

Image of FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2 Movie Preview (2025) Freddy Fazbear Returns!