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Scream
- Created by:
- Wes Craven, Kevin Williamson
- First Film:
- Scream
- Latest Film:
- Scream 6
- Upcoming Films:
- Scream 7
- First TV Show:
- Scream
- Cast:
- Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding
Highlights
- The “Stu Is Alive” theory has major support and could become reality in Scream 7 based on fan influence.
- Fans played a role in Kirby Reed’s return, paving the way for Stu Macher’s potential comeback in the franchise.
- The creative team listens to fans, with actor Matthew Lillard ready to reprise Stu’s role, hinting at Stu’s survival.
Scream 7 has fans speculating over what direction the horror franchise could be heading in, especially since Neve Campbell confirmed she would be reprising her iconic role of Sidney Prescott. Fan theories have become a massive part of the franchise since the early days. When Radio Silence came on board to direct Scream (2022) and Scream 6, it was clear that some of these theories were, at the very least, being heard by the creative team. There is one particular fan theory that has stood the test of time, and it relates to the possibility that Stu Macher, the secondary antagonist of the first movie, is alive.
The ‘Stu Is Alive’ theory has a large following, and the passion and dedication to it has made it more likely than not that it could come to fruition in Scream 7. Wes Craven directed Scream 1-4 and was in charge of the franchise from 1996 to 2011, but the legendary horror auteur sadly passed away in 2015. When it was announced that the Scream franchise would return in 2022, it marked the first time the series would change creative hands. This has led to filmmakers who are fans of the slasher series taking over, which has opened the floodgates to some serious consideration for fan theories. Here’s the case for the “Stu Is Alive” theory being fulfilled.
Who Is the Leader of the ‘Stu Is Alive’ Movement?
Many fans want to see Stu Macher return in Scream 7, but there is one particularly influential YouTuber who has been leading the Stu movement for a while now. CRAVEN Something Scary is the self-professed “conductor of the Stu train.” He entertains his loyal fan base, known as ‘The Cravenites,’ with his theories on Stu Macher being alive and well in the Scream-verse:
If you’re on the Stu train, start packing your carry-on bags as the train is getting fueled up and is on standby as we speak. If you’re not on the Stu train, it’s all good, you’re still welcome here and I appreciate you. However, I just want to say it’s not too late to get your ticket as well.
There can be a lot of toxicity among the Scream fan base relating to the major fan theory surrounding Stu Macher. Fortunately, this particular movement is a friendly, safe space where fans on either side of the argument are welcome to voice their opinions. Given the voice of the community, the power of these theories could potentially lead to them becoming a reality in Scream 7.
It wouldn’t be the first time that fan opinion has influenced the direction of the Scream movies. For instance, Kirby Reed was long considered to be dead after she was brutally stabbed by one of Scream 4‘s Ghostface killers, Charlie Walker. Due to the character’s popularity, fan theories began to surface surrounding Kirby’s possible survival. Over a decade passed by without any answers about Kirby’s fate, due to the franchise seemingly coming to an end.
When Scream (2022) came out in theaters, fans were desperate for confirmation on whether Kirby was alive or dead. The fan favorite movie nerd was confirmed to be alive in a scene involving Richie Kirsch (Jack Quaid) watching a YouTube video about Stab 8. In the sidebar, there is a video titled “Interview with Woodsboro survivor Kirby Reed.” Hayden Panettiere went on to reprise the role in Scream 6, and the rest is history. There is a strong argument that the fans were partly responsible for the return of the popular legacy character, and it could happen again with Stu Macher in Scream 7.
What Are the Chances of Stu Macher Returning in Scream 7?
Wes Craven’s Scream sequels made no reference to Stu Macher being alive, but Kevin Williamson’s original plans for Scream 3 did involve Stu returning to orchestrate a cult of Ghostface killers at Woodsboro High. These plans were scrapped due to similarities with the Columbine Massacre, but they have largely been credited with the birth of the “Stu Macher Is Alive” theory.
The Easter egg in Scream (2022) that confirmed Kirby Reed’s survival also revealed the possibility of Stu Macher being alive. A video titled “Is the real Stu Macher alive?” appears below the Kirby video. This detail got fans theorizing that Stu could be making an imminent return. In addition, Mindy had a conversation with Kirby in the Ghostface shrine in Scream 6, which raised doubts over Stu’s death.
The creative team behind the Scream franchise clearly listens to the fans and what they want from future movies. This could lead to the return of Stu Macher in Scream 7. Matthew Lillard is ready to return as Stu, and is on board with the fan theories. He even shared his support for Stu’s return in a post on his X feed in September 2020, questioning how fatal Stu’s death scene in the original Scream really was:
I mean… it was just a TV? Right? You’d think he’d SURVIVE?
In the end, the Stu Macher theory is real, regardless of whether it comes to fruition in Scream 7. The Stu train shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, no matter what happens in the upcoming movie
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