Matthew Lillard regrets his big ‘Scream 7’ comeback: ‘I blew that’

Highlights

• Matthew Lillard says he regrets returning to the Scream franchise for Scream 7
• The actor said he was so excited to reprise Stu Macher that he did not think enough about Melissa Barrera
• Lillard said he feels “bad” and “ashamed” about his decision

Matthew Lillard has admitted he regrets his return to the Scream franchise in Scream 7, saying he was so excited to reprise his role as Stu Macher that he failed to fully consider Melissa Barrera’s firing from the film.

The actor made the comments during a 30th-anniversary screening of the original Scream in Austin, Texas. During a Q&A, Lillard reflected on his return to the franchise and acknowledged that he should have thought more carefully about Barrera's situation before agreeing to star in the latest sequel.

“I feel bad about that, I feel ashamed about that,” Lillard said. “Because in that moment, I was so excited to go back, but I didn’t really think about Melissa.”

Lillard looks back on his ‘Scream 7’ return

Lillard’s return as Stu Macher marked his first major appearance in the franchise since the original Scream was released in 1996.

His comeback had been a major moment for longtime fans, given that Stu was one of the most memorable characters in Wes Craven’s original horror film.

But during the anniversary event, Lillard said his excitement about returning clouded his judgment.

His comments came after an audience member shouted a profanity directed at US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lillard then spoke about his approach to social issues and the importance of standing up for marginalised communities.

“This is not an applause line,” he said, before referencing his support for queer and transgender young people.

What happened to Melissa Barrera?

Barrera starred in 2022’s Scream and 2023’s Scream VI before being cast to return for Scream 7. She was subsequently removed from the project after Spyglass Media Group accused her of antisemitism and Holocaust distortion over social media posts she made about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Barrera had shared posts accusing Israel of genocide and comparing the treatment of Palestinians to the Holocaust. She later disputed the accusations against her.

Lillard referred to the controversy while reflecting on his own decision to return to the franchise.

“The whole world should have popped up and said she was right,” he said during the discussion.

His remarks have since circulated widely online, with footage from the event receiving hundreds of thousands of views.

A different kind of ‘Scream’ reunion

The comments came during an event celebrating three decades of Scream. Lillard travelled to three Regal theaters in Texas as part of a collaboration with the cinema chain, meeting fans and taking part in Q&As.

The anniversary screening offered fans a chance to revisit the original film, but Lillard’s comments also turned attention towards the complicated history surrounding the franchise's latest instalment.

For Lillard, the return as Stu was clearly something he had been excited about. But looking back, he said he wished he had considered Barrera’s situation before accepting the role.

“I blew that,” Lillard said.

His comments add a surprising layer to what was initially celebrated as a major Scream comeback, with the actor now openly reflecting on the decision and expressing regret over how he handled it.