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Is Scream’s Stu Macher still alive? The cast (including Matthew Lillard) share their theories

The reports of Stu Macher's death may have premature.

Stu Macher in Scream — Image credit: Dimension Films

Features by Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Contributing writer

Published on Mon Nov 27 2023

Since its launch in 1996, the Scream film franchise has killed off a lot of characters. However, if there’s one thing you should know about horror movies, it’s that you should always double check the body to make sure someone is really dead.

If only Neve Campbell had done that in 1996, it would have settled so many debates. The original Scream movie ended with Neve’s character Sidney Prescott facing off against the serial killer team of Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. Sidney shot Billy in the forehead, killing him once and for all. However, Stu’s end was a bit more ambiguous. Sidney stops Stu by dropping a 50-inch TV on his head.

But did it kill him?

That’s a question Scream fans have been asking since 1996.

In fact, the cast of the film have their own doubts. The cast of Scream reunited for a panel at Emerald City Comic Con 2023 and chatted about that very same question. “There is a great debate on whether Stu is still in the Scream universe,” panel moderator Veronica Valencia said. “It’s not even a question,” Stu Macher actor Matthew Lillard quickly replied.

Veronica decided to poll the audience. “If you think Stu is gone, yell boo,” Veronica instructed. The room was nearly silent, much to Lillard’s delight. “If you think Stu lives on in the Scream Universe, yell Stu,” Veronica said. And with that, the room erupted. “Debate settled,” Veronica concluded.

“Never a doubt,” Lillard said with satisfaction. However, not everyone was convinced. “You got hit with a TV dude,” Jamie Kennedy said. “I will take a TV to the face right now to prove to you that I can survive,” Lillard replied. “It’s an old TV though,” Skeet Ulrich reminded them.

For what it’s worth, Scream VI was released one month after the panel. The film seemingly confirmed Stu’s death when we see a photo of him captioned as deceased. However, who are you going to believe, a film prop, or a room of enthusiastic Scream fans? I know what I’m putting my money on.

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About Emerald City Comic Con 2023

Dates

Jan 01 - Jan 01

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Joshua Lapin-Bertone: Joshua is a pop culture writer specializing in comic book media. His work has appeared on the official DC Comics website, the DC Universe subscription service, HBO Max promotional videos, the Batman Universe fansite, and more. In between traveling around the country to cover various comic conventions, Joshua resides in Florida where he binges superhero television and reads obscure comics from yesteryear.