Matthew Lillard, renowned for his role as Stu Macher in the iconic original Scream film, has shared his thoughts on the evolving nature of the franchise, expressing concern that the recent installments have escalated in violence. His insights provide a fresh perspective on how horror films are transforming over the years and the impact this has on audience engagement.

Despite facing numerous challenges and changes throughout its history, the Scream franchise continues to push forward with an upcoming seventh film. This new installment is set to be helmed by the original Scream screenwriter, Kevin Williamson, which has fans eagerly anticipating its release. Matthew Lillard, who gained fame for portraying the character of Stu Macher in the inaugural film, conveyed his belief to GamesRadar+ that while the franchise is on a promising trajectory, he feels that the latest sequels have become excessively violent, drawing attention to the shifting tone of the series and its implications for horror cinema.

“I think it’s in a good place. I think that [the movie being] back in the hands of Kevin Williamson is great. I love what [Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin] were doing before. nothing against them. In fact, I thought they were taking a really exciting way,” Lillard articulated. He continued, expressing his concerns: “I thought the movie got too violent. I think 6 was, like… I don’t think Ghostface ever needs a shotgun. I think that the movies are – everything is trying to repeat what we did in the first movie in a lot of ways. Like, a maniacal monologue at the end. It’s really hard to do. I hope that Kevin takes it in a brand new, brave, and exciting direction so that we can sort of find different colors and different joys.“ His reflections suggest a desire for innovation in the franchise that balances thrilling horror with creativity.

In addition to sharing his views on the franchise’s direction, Lillard expressed a strong desire to reprise his role as Stu Macher, insisting that he believes the character is still alive. “Stu is definitely alive,” he asserted. “That would be fun. I would love it. If it made sense, if it made sense for the franchise. If Kevin [Williamson] liked it, then sure.“ This enthusiasm showcases Lillard’s commitment to the series and his hope for a meaningful return that fits into the overarching narrative.

The highly anticipated Scream 7 promises to feature the return of Neve Campbell as the beloved character Sidney Prescott. Campbell, who played this iconic role throughout the first five films, was initially expected to return for the sixth installment. However, due to a contractual dispute over compensation, she chose not to participate. “As a woman, I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to Scream,” Campbell stated. “I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise. It’s been a very difficult decision to move on.” Fans hope that this time around, the studio has acknowledged her contributions with a much more favorable offer. Additionally, there are rumors that Patrick Dempsey may return to reprise his role as Mark Kincaid. The release of Scream 7 is scheduled for February 27, 2026, and anticipation is building for how the story will unfold.

Considering the original Scream film opened with a shocking murder and gruesome disembowelment, it raises an interesting debate about whether the recent Scream movies are indeed more violent than their predecessors. What are your thoughts on the evolution of violence in the franchise?