Matthew Lillard is set to make a highly anticipated return as his iconic character Stu Macher in <em>Scream 7</em>. This decision has sparked various intriguing theories regarding the motivations behind his comeback. For years, fans have speculated about Lillard’s potential reappearance in a Scream film, and now it’s officially confirmed with this new chapter helmed by the franchise’s original creator and writer, Kevin Williamson. Alongside Lillard, notable original cast members like Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and the familiar voice of Ghostface, Roger L. Jackson, will also reprise their roles in Scream 7.

The narrative direction of Scream 7 appears to be evolving significantly, especially with Lillard’s return alongside Scream 3?s Scott Foley, who is reprising his role as Roman Bridger. Interestingly, the film will proceed without key stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. However, fans can still expect to see half of the Core Four, as Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy-Brown are returning as Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin. The exact plot details surrounding the characters and the role of Stu in Scream 7 remain under wraps, but there are several compelling theories that explore how his character could be integrated into the unfolding story.

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A Flashback That Connects to the Original Scream

Scream 7 Could Feature De-Aging Technology

In Scream 3, the narrative retroactively altered the events of the original movie, with Roman Bridger asserting that he orchestrated Maureen Prescott’s murder, which triggered the Ghostface killings. Roman’s influence on Billy Loomis set the deadly events in motion, and he suggested having a partner to divert suspicion, leading to Stu’s involvement. While it’s unclear if Roman ever interacted with Stu directly, a potential flashback in Scream 7 could illuminate the dynamics of how Stu was drawn into this deadly partnership.

Should a flashback occur within the timeline of the original Scream, the use of de-aging technology would be essential, considering it’s been nearly three decades since Wes Craven’s legendary horror film debuted. Even in the absence of Skeet Ulrich as Billy, the potential for a flashback to highlight significant moments in Stu’s history remains strong. With Roman’s return, the idea of incorporating flashbacks gains further traction, providing an opportunity to deepen the connection between Roman and Stu within the franchise’s lore.

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Exploring Hallucinations Similar to Billy?s Appearances in Past Scream Films

Previous Scream Movies Demonstrated How Hallucinations Can Revive Characters

While the potential for de-aged flashbacks exists, the most straightforward approach to reintroducing Stu in Scream 7 could mirror the narrative technique employed in the last two installments. Through Sam’s hallucinations, Ulrich’s character Billy resurfaced without any resurrection. This concept of bringing back deceased characters through visions was effectively utilized in Scream 5 and Scream 6, leading to speculation that Stu might also reappear under similar conditions, even if this approach risks feeling somewhat redundant.

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Following Billy’s reappearance in Scream 5, many fans expressed hopes for Lillard to feature in Sam’s hallucinations. However, this desire stemmed more from fan enthusiasm than from narrative logic, particularly since Sam has no direct ties to Stu. With Scream 7 welcoming the return of several iconic characters who previously tormented Sidney, there?s a possibility she might experience hallucinations involving past Ghostface killers. It?s even conceivable that Sidney could envision an alternate reality where Stu survived the events of the original Scream.

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Unraveling the Shocking Survival Theory of Stu After Scream

Scream 7 Has the Potential to Reverse Stu’s Death

One of the most compelling theories regarding Matthew Lillard’s return to the Scream franchise revolves around the notion that Stu may have miraculously survived the events of the original film. Prior to Lillard’s confirmation for Scream 7, fans had voiced their speculations about Stu’s possible return with every sequel announcement since Scream 4 in 2011. After sustaining severe blood loss from Billy’s attack, Stu faced a climactic confrontation with Sidney, which ended with a TV crushing his head, seemingly ensuring his demise. However, Scream 7 could potentially challenge the established narrative and reinstate Stu’s character.

Numerous theories have emerged to explain how Stu could have survived after being crushed by the TV. Mindy even references Stu’s death in Scream 6, further fueling the long-standing belief that he may have secretly lived and evaded capture for decades. While exploring this narrative could prove difficult to convince the audience, it presents a feasible way to reintroduce Stu without relying on flashbacks or hallucinations. If it were indeed the case that Stu survived, it would create a logical motivation for him to target Sidney again; however, the challenge lies in articulating why he chose to remain hidden for so long.

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Connecting to the Original Scream 3 Mastermind?s Scheme

Scream 3 Almost Incorporated Matthew Lillard’s Return

The theory surrounding Stu’s secret survival intertwines with another intriguing narrative angle regarding Scream 7, serving as a callback to concepts initially considered for Scream 3. Before the third installment revealed Roman as the mastermind, there were plans to bring back Lillard’s character, with Stu poised to take on the role of the chief antagonist. The original vision for Scream 3 involved revealing Stu’s survival and portraying him as the puppet master, orchestrating events from behind bars. However, the tragic events of the Columbine High School shooting altered the film’s trajectory and led to significant changes in the storyline.

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With Kevin Williamson returning as director, there is a strong possibility that he may explore previously scrapped storylines to integrate into Scream 7. The idea of bringing back Stu and suggesting he has been incarcerated would act as a retcon, as there is no substantial evidence to affirm his survival. Nevertheless, positioning Stu as the mastermind behind the chaos could clarify the narrative shift back to focus on Sidney, rather than the newer characters like Sam and Tara.

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Stu’s Return Made Possible Through AI Innovations

Scream Embraces Modern Technological Trends

The Scream franchise is celebrated for its meta-commentary, often reflecting on societal trends, cultural phenomena, and the horror genre itself. For instance, Scream 4 prominently featured technology, showcasing Jill’s transformation into Ghostface as part of a quest for internet fame. If the franchise continues to adapt to contemporary trends, Scream 7 may incorporate AI technology as a pivotal component of the new Ghostface narrative. This technological element could allow for a version of Lillard’s Stu to emerge without necessitating a resurrection from the original film’s events.

A fascinating theory circulating on Reddit proposes that AI could be utilized by Stu’s devoted fanbase to target Sidney, psychologically tormenting her. This manipulation could create the illusion that both Stu and Roman are alive and orchestrating new killings, whether from the past or present. For this theory to hold, Lillard would need to participate in AI-generated footage; however, this approach would avoid significant narrative retcons that impact the franchise’s continuity.

Source: Reddit/ThePicturesGirl