When Screeam (Scream V) hit screens back in 2022, fans were delighted to see one of the series’ biggest characters back in an unexpected way, but it now seems likely that we have seen him for the last time.
When Melissa Barrera’s Sam, left, was introduced in the movie, we learn that she was the secret daughter of original Scream killer, Billy Loomis, played by Skeet Ulrich and not only that, she was suffering psychotic episodes in which her dead father talked to her and Ulrich actually returned to play the part, albeit with some handy CGI de-aging jiggery-pokery and while he wasn’t in Scream 6, his chracter was referenced and it really felt like we would be seeing more of him when Scream 7 arrived.
When Matthew Lillard’s Stu Macher was confirmed returning in the seventh movie, it seemed like a no-brainer to have the two original Ghostfaces back onscreen together… but alas, it seems that’s not to be.
WATCH: Scream 7 teaser hints at festive fun… and that’s not all!
“I’m not involved. I’m really excited though,” the 55-year-old Ulrich says in a new interview.
The star does, however, confirm that the plan was originally for him to return, but when Barrera departed, so too did his character arc: “When we talked about coming back for 5, it was a three-picture arc for Billy Loomis to slowly turn his daughter into the killer,” Ulrich says, adding: “Obviously, those things didn’t pan out, given certain things that happened. But, no, I know nothing about the seventh.”
It’s interesting because fans, myself included, had suspected that Sam’s story would eventually see her becoming the killer in the story… they weren’t exactly subtle about how much she enjoyed killing, even if it was bad guys.
The star adds: “Part of coming back for five and six was being a part of seven. It was a three-picture arc for Billy Loomis, or the imagination of Billy Loomis in Melissa Barrera’s character’s head. But when all that went down with her, obviously, you lose her and you lose what’s in her head.”
But this was all when Radio Silence AKA Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin were still behind the camera, however, much has happened since and now the seventh movie, which comes out in February, has Scream creator Kevin Williamson back on co-writing and directing duties.
“I’m excited for Kevin Williamson to take the helm and to see what the mastermind of it all comes up with. I have no clue,” Ulrich says.
Now, the star, arguably the person who caused the whole franchise to happen, well, his character, Billy Loomis, is jsut as in the dark as the fans, even, he claims, when it comes to his friend Matthew Lillard’s return as Stu: “I don’t know how Matt’s back… I have no idea, which I’m kind of excited for, to see it and not know.”
Matthew Lillard talks Scream VII and his shock return as Stu Macher
Finally, the star says he doesn’t believe he’ll play Billy Loomis again, saying: “I don’t know how, given the set up.
“But, you know, it’s horror. And I think the great thing about ‘Scream’ in general was it was all based in reality that this could happen. You don’t know who, as you’re walking down the street, could be a killer or not. So I hope if it does, it doesn’t get so far-fetched that it blows that premise.”
I’m ok with all of this – I think, despite the seventh movie being massively changed, the sixth movie gave the characters, especially Sam, a satisfying arc and it meant she never turned to the dark side. I also think that, since Billy dies in 1996, not having him return, even in someone’s head, makes sense.
That all said, I would love to have seen what Radio Silence were cooking with their trilogy.
Thoughts? I know you have them and I wanna hear ’em all.
Scream 7” comes out Feb. 27. hits screens on February 27th, 2026
Check out Beyond the Mask’s video on Scream 7 cancelled plans:
Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
Nerd Comments