‘Scream 7’ Trailer Gives Major Clue That May Hint at Ghostface Twist Theory

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An all-new Ghostface is on the hunt — and they could be a familiar face.

The first trailer for Scream 7 came out on October 30th and revealed a significant hint about who the killer is: they’re originally from Woodsboro. This isn’t surprising, since many past villains in the Scream movies, like Billy Loomis and Jill Roberts, also came from that town. However, this clue could mean the film will explore a popular fan theory about what really happened to Stu Macher.

Hi Sidney, it’s good to see you again. I hope you’ve been well. This is a lovely town you’ve settled in – it reminds me of our childhood home. And your daughter is beautiful.

In the 1996 film Scream, Stu appeared to die after Sidney pushed a television onto his head, but fans have long wondered if he actually survived, especially since he wasn’t shot. The character Randy Meeks famously warned that killers often return for one last scare, and even cautioned against assuming anyone is truly dead. These theories gained new life when Jack Lillard, the actor who played Stu, was confirmed to be returning for another Scream movie.

Watch the trailer for Scream 7 below.

‘Scream 7’ Could Recycle an Abandoned Stu Macher Plot

There are several ways Matthew Lillard, known for his role in Scooby Doo, could appear in the new slasher film. One possibility involves revisiting a discarded storyline from Scream 3. Lillard recently shared with MovieWeb that the original plan for the third movie included revealing Stu Macher was not only still alive but incarcerated, and was secretly continuing his reign of terror by manipulating other teens to commit murders for him.

The project fell apart because the Columbine High School shooting occurred right before we started filming, and understandably, the story was completely rewritten. Kevin [Williamson] originally believed his character was going to survive, and the team behind Scream 5 and 6 also thought he lived.

The latest Scream movie, Scream 6, suggested that Stu Macher might still be alive. While exploring a Ghostface shrine in New York City, Kirby Reed mentioned the ‘TV that killed Stu Macher,’ and Mindy Meeks-Martin responded by questioning whether he was actually dead. This could simply be a playful reference to a popular fan theory, or it could be the writers subtly confirming that characters within the Scream universe believe Stu is deceased – though it remains unconfirmed.

It seems highly improbable that Stu could have been secretly imprisoned or in a mental institution for three decades. However, it’s conceivable he survived and faked his own death, though that would have required assistance. For this deception to be believable, that help would almost certainly have needed to come from within the police force or the hospital. If Scream 7 explores this possibility, the filmmakers will need to provide a convincing explanation.

Stu Macher Could Make an Appearance From Beyond the Grave


Dimension Films

In a 2022 interview with Collider, Kevin Williamson definitively debunked the fan theory that Stu Macher survived the original Scream film, stating that Stu was, in fact, dead.

No, he’s not alive. The rumor probably began because people saw him on set during college scenes – specifically, at a frat party. He was just visiting that night, not actively filming.

As a huge Scream fan, I’ve been following the news about Scream 7, and while it seems like Matthew Lillard might not be reprising his role as Stu, I don’t think that necessarily means we’ve seen the last of the character. Even if Stu is gone, there are ways to keep him involved. The simplest would be through flashbacks or nightmares – if Sidney’s being terrorized by Ghostface again, it’s totally believable she’d be haunted by memories of the original murders. I’ve also seen some really interesting fan theories suggesting a new killer could use AI to mimic Stu’s voice during phone calls, just to mess with Sidney. That way, Lillard wouldn’t have to physically appear, but he could still contribute with voice work, which I’d absolutely love to see!

Matthew Lillard Believes Stu Macher Is Alive


Dimension Films

In October 2024, Damian Lillard hinted on The Drew Barrymore Show that Stu was “definitely alive.” He reinforced this idea later in an interview with MovieWeb.

He maintained that Stu was still alive. He explained that he couldn’t imagine anyone involved wanting to completely walk away from future movies in the series, suggesting there’s a possibility Stu could reappear.

Ultimately, I believe the fans would really enjoy this, and it would be a lot of fun to create. Beyond that, it’s a decision for those in charge.

Catch Scream 7 in theaters on Feb. 27, 2026.

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2025-11-01 02:53