‘Scream 7’: Matthew Lillard’s shock return, Mark Consuelos, and everything else we know
The latest “Scream” may be reintroducing some familiar Ghostfaces.
“Scream 7,” the next installment in the long-running horror franchise, is set to stab its way into theaters in just over a year, and on Thursday, some bombshell casting news left fans’ heads spinning.
Matthew Lillard, who played Ghostface killer Stu Macher in the original “Scream,” is returning to the series. After his casting was reported by multiple outlets, Lillard seemingly confirmed it on Instagram by posting a quote his character uttered in the 1996 film: “My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!”
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Spyglass Media Group, the film’s production company.
The cast for “Scream 7” has been gradually growing in recent weeks and consists of a mix of new and returning stars. But there remains a fair amount of controversy around the project based largely on who isn’t in it.
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‘Scream 7’ cast: Who’s starring in the film?
Lillard was the most recent member of the cast to be revealed, creating confusion given his character died at the end of 1996’s “Scream” by having a television fall on his head. There has long been a fan theory that Stu secretly survived, an idea that “Scream VI” poked fun at. But it’s unclear whether Lillard’s return confirms Stu is still alive or if he will be playing the character in flashbacks, hallucinations, or some other form.
Equally as shocking was reports from Deadline and Entertainment Weekly that Scott Foley will be in the film. He previously played Sidney Prescott’s half-brother Roman Bridger, the Ghostface killer in “Scream 3.” But it’s again unclear how he’ll be returning given Roman was shot in the head at the end of that film.
The latest “Scream” may be reintroducing some familiar Ghostfaces.
“Scream 7,” the next installment in the long-running horror franchise, is set to stab its way into theaters in just over a year, and on Thursday, some bombshell casting news left fans’ heads spinning.
Matthew Lillard, who played Ghostface killer Stu Macher in the original “Scream,” is returning to the series. After his casting was reported by multiple outlets, Lillard seemingly confirmed it on Instagram by posting a quote his character uttered in the 1996 film: “My mom and dad are gonna be so mad at me!”
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Spyglass Media Group, the film’s production company.
The cast for “Scream 7” has been gradually growing in recent weeks and consists of a mix of new and returning stars. But there remains a fair amount of controversy around the project based largely on who isn’t in it.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
‘Scream 7’ cast: Who’s starring in the film?
Lillard was the most recent member of the cast to be revealed, creating confusion given his character died at the end of 1996’s “Scream” by having a television fall on his head. There has long been a fan theory that Stu secretly survived, an idea that “Scream VI” poked fun at. But it’s unclear whether Lillard’s return confirms Stu is still alive or if he will be playing the character in flashbacks, hallucinations, or some other form.
Matthew Lillard, left, and Rose McGowan in “Scream.”
Equally as shocking was reports from Deadline and Entertainment Weekly that Scott Foley will be in the film. He previously played Sidney Prescott’s half-brother Roman Bridger, the Ghostface killer in “Scream 3.” But it’s again unclear how he’ll be returning given Roman was shot in the head at the end of that film.
Meanwhile, Neve Campbell is back to star as Sidney Prescott after playing the iconic final girl in the first five films. She dropped out of 2023’s “Scream VI” due to a salary dispute, though the movie mentioned that she was taking care of her family off screen.
“I’m very happy and proud to say I’ve been asked, in the most respectful way, to bring Sidney back to the screen and I couldn’t be more thrilled!!!” Campbell said on Instagram last year.
Additionally, Courteney Cox, who has appeared in every single “Scream” film, is back as reporter Gale Weathers.
New cast members for “Scream 7” include Joel McHale, who according to The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline is playing Sidney’s husband Mark Evans. 2022’s “Scream” revealed Sidney has a husband named Mark who does not appear on screen, though the film’s directors confirmed in interviews this man was Mark Kincaid, Patrick Dempsey’s character from “Scream 3.” That is apparently no longer the case, as Dempsey is not reported to be returning. The “Grey’s Anatomy” star said on the “Today” show in October that “there has been a conversation” about him being in the movie, but he was “waiting on the script.”
Isabel May will reportedly play Sidney’s daughter in the film, and other new cast members reportedly include Mckenna Grace, Celeste O’Connor, Asa Germann, Anna Camp, and Sam Rechner.
Neve Campbellis returning for ‘Scream 7’ after pay dispute, Melissa Barrera firing
Mark Consuelos will also star in the movie, he confirmed on “LIVE with Kelly and Mark.” “I had the most amazing time,” he said.
The Mazda Miata is a car that remains forever young, even as it reaches its mid-30s. To celebrate, Mazda has announced a special-edition 35th Anniversary model that will be available in the U.S. for 2025. The existence of the anniversary MX-5 was no secret, as the car was revealed in Japan in October 2024. Mazda said in December the car would be coming to America, but plans and details about the U.S. model have been under wraps until now.
Mazda chose the Rolex 24 at Daytona as the backdrop to its announcement, appropriately timed with the MX-5 Cup race. Mazda showcased the 35th Anniversary alongside a Miata-only parking area and several Miata models from the Mazda North American Operations collection.
The 35th Anniversary will be limited to 300 cars in the U.S. and will only be available in Artisan Red Metallic—a glittery wine red, slightly darker than Mazda’s famous Soul Red Crystal, which was first seen on the CX-90. Wheels are 17-inchers in a multispoke bright finish wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza tires. A beige soft top folds back to reveal tan nappa leather Grand Touring seats, which are more comfort-oriented. There’s also tan carpeting and floor mats as well as color-matched trim around the climate vents and upper door panel. Anniversary badges including the car’s serial number offer a callout on the front fender, while an interior reminder is embossed into the headrest.
The Miata earned its reputation as a sports car due to its accessible handling and enjoyable driving characteristics, and the 35th anniversary will be no different. It features tuned Bilstein dampers, an asymmetric limited-slip differential, and a stiffened shock tower, all of which are also on the Grand Touring trim. With no changes to the driveline or curb weight, we expect the 35th Anniversary to share performance numbers with the previous RF Club, which had a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.5 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 14.3 seconds, and a skidpad result of 0.90 g.
The 35th Anniversary features the same Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. Customers for the special edition will benefit from all the equipment found on the Grand Touring trim, including heated seats (a must in a convertible), wireless phone connectivity, Alexa Built-In, Bose audio, and native nav in an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. The 35th Anniversary is only available as a softtop convertible and with the six-speed manual, so it’s top-down and revs up (to a 7500-rpm redline) as the only option.
The Miata earned its reputation as a sports car due to its accessible handling and enjoyable driving characteristics, and the 35th anniversary will be no different. It features tuned Bilstein dampers, an asymmetric limited-slip differential, and a stiffened shock tower, all of which are also on the Grand Touring trim. With no changes to the driveline or curb weight, we expect the 35th Anniversary to share performance numbers with the previous RF Club, which had a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.5 seconds, a quarter-mile time of 14.3 seconds, and a skidpad result of 0.90 g.
