Matthew Lillard Confirms What Fans Have Long Suspected About Billy And Stu In ‘Scream’

In a clip from a recent fan convention, "Scream" star Matthew Lillard had horror fans buzzing after confirming a long-running theory about his and Skeet Ulrich’s characters, Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, from the 1996 slasher classic. Lillard and Ulrich’s chemistry as the murderous duo in "Scream" has often been noted by fans for its intensity, even flirtatiousness. Decades later, the idea that the two may have been more than just partners in crime has become a beloved part of the film’s legacy. Now, the actor, known for his affection for the franchise, told the crowd that the two killers were “for sure gay,” and that he and Ulrich now affectionately refer to themselves as “the first husbands of horror.”

While the idea has floated around fan circles for years, Lillard said the topic wasn’t something anyone addressed while filming the original "Scream." Still, he’s fully embraced the interpretation in recent years, especially as the subtext surrounding the duo has gained traction among horror fans.

“Here’s the reality, it was never discussed on the day, it was not an issue,” Lillard explained to the audience. “But I think that we both really love it and hold on to it now as it’s sort of grown in popularity, this thought that these two characters were gay.”

The "Scooby-Doo" alum went on to add that what makes the theory so special is that it belongs to the fans and can’t be taken away. “The reason is that you can’t take it away, like, nobody can strip us of that belief,” he continued. “And in the world we’re living in right now, like… live with it.”

Before "Scream" became a billion-dollar franchise, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher set the tone as the original Ghostface killers. On the surface, the two were high school besties turned cold-blooded killers. But fans have long clocked their chemistry, the intense stares, the shoulder touches, the way Stu practically melts under Billy’s control. It wasn’t just murder, but it was a bond.

Long before Lillard publicly declared that Billy and Stu were “for sure gay,” "Scream"’s own creator had already hinted at it. Kevin Williamson, the openly gay screenwriter behind the 1996 slasher classic, confirmed that the characters were loosely inspired by real-life killers Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, two lovers who shocked the world in 1924 when they murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in what they called “the perfect crime.”

“It’s very sort of homoerotic, in the sense that there were these two guys that killed this other person just to see if they could get away with it,” he explained in 2022. “And one of the reasons that one could get the other one [to follow] is because I think the other one was secretly in love with him. … If you Google ‘Leopold and Loeb,’ you’ll see, that’s Billy and Stu.”

Nearly three decades after shocking audiences as Stu Macher in Wes Craven’s "Scream," Lillard is officially back, and he’s feeling the pressure. The fan-favorite actor, who recently confirmed his return for the upcoming "Scream 7," told PEOPLE that stepping back into such an iconic role wasn’t an instant yes. “I’m nervous, because at this point in my life, the only thing I can do is sort of ruin how people consider Stu,” Lillard admitted. “Especially if I come back and I suck or I was lame.”

The 55-year-old actor said the decision to return to the franchise was both thrilling and terrifying. The risk, however, was one he couldn’t pass up, especially with "Scream 7" marking 30 years since the original film hit theaters. “I haven’t seen the movie yet,” he revealed. “I don’t know if it works, but it’s a risk. And it’s a risk that I was excited to take.”

Lillard will reunite with "Scream" veterans Neve Campbell (Sidney Prescott) and Courteney Cox (Gale Weathers), creating a nostalgic full-circle moment for diehard fans. But even with familiar faces by his side, the actor admitted that returning to such a beloved universe comes with big expectations. “At the same time, I’m nervous to see the outcome,” he added. “I hope people like it.”

"Scream 7" is set to release on February 27, 2026.