Scream 7: Do Fans Want Stu Macher To Return?

Highlights

• Fans are divided on whether Stu Macher survived in Scream and should return in Scream 7.
• Easter eggs and past theories suggest Stu could be alive. However, there is no confirmation yet.
• Bringing back Stu in Scream 7 would be a decisive move for the franchise with fans on both sides of the debate.

Stu Macher is undoubtedly one of the most iconic Ghostface killers in the Scream franchise, after appearing in the original 1996 movie. Stu was Billy Loomis’ zany accomplice during the murder spree, and appeared to die from his significant injuries in the legendary final sequence. However, some fans think he survived, and there is a debate over whether Stu Macher should/could return in Scream 7.

The only confirmed cast member for the upcoming sequel is Neve Campbell, with Courteney Cox and Patrick Dempsey rumored to be in discussions to return to the popular horror franchise. Matthew Lillard (who portrayed Stu Macher) returned to the horror genre in 2023, playing the villain, William Afton in Five Nights At Freddy’s. He is confirmed to return in the sequel, set for release in 2025, but rumors still persist among the fan base that he could reprise his most famous role in Scream 7.

How did Stu Macher supposedly die?

Scene 118 in Scream was the famous sequence where the core characters gather at Stu Macher’s house for a party in the midst of the curfew after the brutal killings of Steven Orth and Casey Becker. It all proved to be a ploy to get Sidney Prescott to the house for the big reveal that her boyfriend, Billy Loomis, and his best friend, Stu Macher, were the perpetrators behind the Ghostface mask in Scream. Sidney ended up dropping a television on Stu Macher’s head, electrocuting him after he had been stabbed repeatedly by Billy.

I always had a thing for ya Sid.

Despite this brutal incident, fans were convinced Stu Macher survived and remains alive in the Scream universe, despite not appearing again in the franchise. This theory gained traction when it was discovered that Matthew Lillard had originally been hired to reprise the role in Scream 3, as the leader of a cult of Ghostface, but this plan was scrapped after the tragic events at Columbine High School. However, Lillard was paid despite not appearing in the movie.

When Scream (2022) came out, the theories resurfaced, and Lillard did his best to fuel them, as he was more than keen on playing Stu Macher again. Radio Silence duo, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett also featured a number of Easter eggs in Scream (2022) and Scream 6 that pointed towards Stu’s possible survival, but no actual Stu Macher appearance materialized in either movie. With Scream 7 on the horizon, the speculation has reared its ugly head again, with fans having their say on the ‘Stu is Alive’ debate on social media and online message boards.

Do fans want Stu Macher to return in Scream 7?

The Scream fans appear to be divided over whether Stu Macher should return in Scream 7, with some not convinced the Ghostface killer survived the events of Scream in 1996. On the Reddit thread, ‘With the news about Neve’s return for Scream 7, let’s talk plot!’, one fan known as Low_Gold_6617 said:

I’m just praying that they leave Stu dead because I cannot handle this dragging out longer.

The discussion over Stu Macher possibly being alive hasn’t properly been ruled out in the Scream movies, which has led to many fans getting frustrated, and demanding an answer one way or another. There are many fans who are open to his return, but they are sick of the ongoing debate over it. If Stu was to return in Scream 7, it would finally put the rumors to bed.

Scream 6 hinted that either outcome could be possible, when Kirby and Detective Bailey surveyed a whiteboard showing all the Ghostface killers with confirmation of their current status. Next to Stu’s name, it said ‘Dead’ but a peculiar question mark also appeared close by. Further to this, in a discussion between Kirby and Mindy at the Ghostface shrine, Mindy raised the ambiguity over Stu’s death. On the same Reddit thread: ‘With the news about Neve’s return for Scream 7, let’s talk plot!’, a fan known as Beginning_Big4819 said:

I believe Christina Carpenter will be revealed as one of the Ghostface killers, and the first victim will be Stu Macher. Despite Christina not being innocent and having involvement in previous Scream killings, she believes her secrets are safe. However, when she discovers that Stu is alive, she decides to kill him. The only person aware of Stu’s survival is Dewey, who kept it confidential as a police secret, but his guilt leads him to record a video before his death, informing Sidney and Gale about Stu’s potential survival. He didn’t say anything because he thought they were safe as he’s locked in a mental hospital.

This is actually a really fun idea and a possible way that Stu could be alive. However, if Stu Macher was to be brought back, to be killed off straightaway, it would feel like a totally wasted opportunity. On the same thread, catpeople76 said:

Unpopular opinion, and I will die on this hill, I stand by Stu surviving. I love this!

Fans are so divided over whether Stu should return in Scream 7. This fan suggests that it’s an unpopular opinion that Stu is alive, but to a large section of the Scream fan base, it’s a very popular opinion. LightFromYT agrees with this statement:

Same, actually. If written well, it could actually be a really good film.

For some fans, bringing Stu Macher back in Scream 7 would ruin the franchise beyond repair, but for the Stu truthers out there, it would be the best decision ever, and a good way to bring the series full circle. The creative team behind Scream 7 are fully aware of the fans being divided on this issue, and they must tread carefully if they are to consider bringing Stu back as Ghostface in Scream 7.