Matthew Lillard reprises Stu Macher role in long-awaited 'Scream' comeback

Matthew Lillard has finally returned to the Scream universe, and he says it’s been 20 years in the making.

The 56-year-old actor reprises his role as Stu Macher in a cameo appearance in Scream 7, marking his first on-screen return to the franchise since the original 1996 film. For Lillard, the moment is the culmination of decades of lobbying to bring the fan-favorite character back to life.

“It was amazing! I've been waiting,” Lillard told Nerdist. “I'd sort of been petitioning and campaigning for that call for 20 years.”

Stu, one of the original Ghostface killers, appeared to meet his end in 1996’s Scream. However, Lillard revealed there were once plans for the character’s survival.

“At some point, I was originally supposed to be the killer in Scream 3, so I was like, ‘Well, come on. He’s alive. I mean, we’ve validated the fact that he’s alive,’” he said.

Calling the experience “super fun,” Lillard added that he believes the latest installment “really hearkens back to what the original was,” expressing excitement for longtime fans of the slasher saga.

Stu Macher has remained one of the franchise’s most beloved — and debated — characters, and Lillard believes his appeal lies in his humanity.

“I think that he does have these moments towards the end of the film, like when he's crying on the phone to his mom. He's funny,” he said. 

“Billy Loomis is drop-dead gorgeous, and Stu's a little weird and gangly and silly. So I think there's something about him that's approachable.”

The actor suggested that relatability, combined with his chaotic energy, has cemented Stu’s enduring popularity.

Lillard’s connection to the franchise now extends beyond the screen. Through his company, Macabre Spirits, he launched Ghost Face Vodka, a limited-edition spirit inspired by the iconic masked killer.

“I know firsthand the power of Ghostface,” he said, noting the mask remains one of the world’s top Halloween sellers.

The product’s launch drew more than 45,000 early access sign-ups and reportedly sold out over 10,000 bottles in less than two hours. The brand has since secured a retail partnership with Total Wine & More, with plans to expand distribution ahead of Halloween.

Rather than simply attaching the franchise’s name to a product, Lillard said the goal was to create something interactive for fans, including a game called “Killer Bash” accessible via QR code on the bottle.

“We will never just slap a logo on something and say, ‘Hey, look at this!’” he said. “We have to actually give something to the community.”