Matthew Lillard Returning for ‘Scream 7’

Matthew Lillard continues to be a fan of horror films. Known for his role in Wes Craven’s initial “Scream” production and choosing not to reprise that character in subsequent sequels due to storyline reasons, he is now set to appear in the cast of the seventh movie within the franchise.

After Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega departed from the “Scream” series following their roles in two revival seasons, Spyglass Media Group is rebranding “Scream 7” as a nostalgic title. The original cast members Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox are set to return for this upcoming film. Kevin Williamson, the writer of the initial “Scream,” will be the director for this new installment. Paramount Pictures has scheduled its release for February 26, 2026.

The unexpected return of Damian Lillard is being noticed, as his initial portrayal as the stonerish teen Stu Macher, who turned out to be one of the killers in the first “Scream” movie, was followed by a shocking death scene where his head was thrust into a heavy TV after electrocution. However, it’s not unusual for actors from the “Scream” series to make a comeback after death, as seen with Skeet Ulrich, who played Billy Loomis, Stu’s accomplice in the original movie. Ulrich reappeared in the 2022 “Scream” remake, appearing in a character’s hallucinations.

Following the triumphant return of “Scream” in 2022, the swift sequel, “Scream VI,” hit screens a mere 15 months later. However, the making of “Scream 7” has proven more challenging. Unfortunately, Melissa Barrera, who graced our screens in the fifth and sixth installments, was let go by Spyglass Media in November 2023. This decision came after she encouraged her followers to donate funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The production company expressed disapproval over Barrera’s assertions that Israel was perpetrating “genocide and ethnic cleansing,” as well as her claim that Israel was manipulating “the Holocaust to bolster the Israeli arms industry.” As a fan, I eagerly await updates on this intriguing turn of events in the “Scream” franchise.

Ortega exited “Scream 7” shortly thereafter, with reports citing scheduling conflicts.

Deadline was first to report on Lillard’s casting.

Read More

2025-01-31 04:47