Scream 7
Scream 7 faced significant backlash for its integration of AI deepfake technology to resurrect the character Stu Macher played by Matthew Lillard
- Incident date
- Feb 2026
- Target
- Matthew Lillard
Released on February 27, 2026, and directed by Kevin Williamson, the film Scream 7 has drawn sharp criticism for its reliance on generative technology. While the movie features the return of Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott, public discourse has focused heavily on the creative choices regarding artificial intelligence and its impact on the franchise's legacy.
What happened
Scream 7 introduced AI as a central plot device, a decision that has been described by critics as forced and uninspired. Most notably, the production utilized AI deepfake technology to bring back the character Stu Macher, originally portrayed by actor Matthew Lillard in the 1996 film.
Rapper Wiz Khalifa publicly denounced the film during a live stream, labeling the inclusion of deepfakes as "trash" and criticizing the filmmakers for attempting to capitalize on current technological trends rather than focusing on original storytelling. Khalifa argued that the forced integration of modern AI themes detracted from the cinematic quality of the work, suggesting that such additions felt like a superficial attempt to chase relevance. Audience reception on community platforms echoed these sentiments, with some viewers expressing dissatisfaction with the film's execution and the perceived lack of narrative depth in its use of deepfake technology.