Matthew Lillard, who played Stu Macher in Scream, clarified the sexuality of original Ghostface killers Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. In the first Scream film, the characters, portrayed by Skeet Ulrich and Lillard, worked together to commit a murder spree under the Ghostface persona, ultimately claiming six victims.
Billy was motivated to commit the killings out of revenge against original series protagonist Sidney Prescott (played by Neve Campbell), blaming her mother for the breakdown of his parents' marriage. Meanwhile, Stu claimed that "peer pressure" from Billy was the reason for his involvement in the violent events. The two were best friends, with Lillard hinting that their relationship may have been more than just friendship.
Scream star confirms original Ghostface duo was gay
Lillard dropped the bombshell that Billy and Stu were actually in a relationship during a panel discussion at Emerald City Comic Con 2023 (via Popverse). "Stu and Billy were without a doubt a gay couple," he asserted.
Ulrich was taken by surprise by this revelation, expressing shock at his former Ghostface accomplice casually discarding that information. However, Lillard stood by his statement, claiming that franchise creator Kevin Williamson supported his interpretation of the Billy/Stu dynamic.
"I brought it up at the 20th anniversary event with Kevin, the screenwriter," Lillard recounted. "Someone asked, 'Are they gay?' and I responded, 'They are definitely gay, right Kevin?' And Kevin replied, 'Probably.' So, that's my perspective."
Billy and Stu's chemistry is evident in the 1996 slasher film Scream, but their relationship is not explored in much detail before they are killed off. However, their twisted legacy lives on even after their deaths, as 11 individuals have taken on the Ghosface persona since then, bringing the total number of incarnations of the iconic big screen villain to 13.
Scream 7 actor exits spark controversy
The identity of the Ghostface killer in Scream 7 is currently a closely guarded secret. However, the main focus of discussion is the recent casting changes in the production.
Melissa Barrera, who portrays Sam Carpenter, was terminated in November 2023 after making social media comments about the situation in Gaza. Jenna Ortega, who plays her on-screen sister, exited the seventh Scream installment shortly after, but sources say her departure is unrelated to Barrera's firing.
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Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the Scream franchise, I am thrilled to hear Matthew Lillard's confirmation of the LGBTQ+ relationship between Billy Loomis and Stu Macher. This revelation adds a new layer of depth and complexity to their characters, and it's great to see that the franchise is embracing diversity and inclusivity. Lillard's interpretation of their relationship is well-supported by the chemistry between the two characters in the original film, and it's exciting to think about how this dynamic might have been further explored if they had survived.
However, I am disappointed to hear about the recent casting changes in Scream 7, particularly the departures of Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. These actresses brought a lot of talent and energy to the franchise, and their absence will certainly be felt. I hope that the upcoming film can still deliver the same level of excitement and suspense as its predecessors, despite these setbacks. Overall, I am excited about the future of the Scream franchise and eager to see how it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of horror cinema.
