Scream 7actor Mason Gooding teases the nature of Matthew Lillard’s franchise return. Gooding was first introduced to the franchise in the 2022 reboot as Chad Meeks-Martin, who is Tara Carpenter’s love interest in the revival series. Chad is also a survivor of the deadly 26th anniversary Legacy Killings in Woodsboro, California. After surviving the events ofScreamandScream VI, Gooding willreturn toScream 7.Lillard is also coming back for the seventh installment,although it’s unclear how that will happen.

Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Gooding hyped up his return inScream 7,saying that “Lillard’s been a huge part of [his] understanding and love for the medium.” He thinks thatLillard’s return is “far different than [he] imagine[s] anyonewill be able to anticipate.” He also praised co-star Scott Foley, calling him “incredible.” Check out the full quote from Gooding below:

Scream Sidney Prescott Stu Macher and Ghostface

Matthew Lillard’s been a huge part of my understanding and love for the medium for a very long time. When you consider his work in the context of [the first] Scream, you realize that was actually him kind of reigning it in and being more grounded given the circumstances. To see where they’re taking that understanding and dynamic in 7 is far different than I imagine anyone will be able to anticipate, and they will absolutely deliver.

I cannot wait for people to see what they’re cooking, so to speak, with Matthew and Scott, because it’s something special.

Ghostface with a bloody mask in Scream 6

What This Means For Scream 7

Both Characters Died In Previous Movies

Lillard is best known for portraying one of the two original Ghostface killers in the originalScreammovie. He worked alongside Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) as an accomplice in the original Woodsboro Murders, and these events launched the rest of the franchise that would also impact the 2022 installment. Stu seemingly died due to an electrocution, so news of his return becomes complicated. However,there have been speculations that the former antagonist may have survived, and it’s a debate that has continued for two decades. Even Lillard has weighed in that Stu could still be living.

5 Best Scream Theories About Stu Macher

Among the theories about the Scream saga are many about Stu Macher, what really happened to him, his real motives, and his potential future.

Foley last appeared inScream 3and portrayed Roman Bridger, the main antagonist ofScream 3and the fifth Ghostface. Despite initially evading mortality with a bulletproof vest,Roman dies inScream 3, as he is both stabbed and shot in the head. This makes his return toScream 7confusing, but Gooding maintains that “something special” is at play with both the Lillard and Foley returns, even if he has yet to reveal what that is.

01731656_poster_w780.jpg

Our Take On This Scream 7 News

Scream 7Seems Unlikely To Repeat Their Fake Death Trope

TheScreammovieshave dealt with fake deaths before, but fully resuscitating two characters from the dead would be a bit much for the franchise. As such, it seems likely thatScream 7has something unique at play, such as ghosts, or more. The fact that Gooding thinks audiences will not be able to predict or “anticipate” what is to come hints at something far bigger than a convoluted fake death.