In a clip from a latest fan conference, “Scream” star Matthew Lillard had horror followers buzzing after confirming a long-running concept about his and Skeet Ulrich’s characters, Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, from the 1996 slasher traditional. Lillard and Ulrich’s chemistry because the murderous duo in “Scream” has usually been famous by followers for its depth, even flirtatiousness. Many years later, the concept that the 2 might have been extra than simply companions in crime has develop into a beloved a part of the movie’s legacy. Now, the actor, recognized for his affection for the franchise, informed the group that the 2 killers have been “for positive homosexual,” and that he and Ulrich now affectionately seek advice from themselves as “the primary husbands of horror.”

Whereas the thought has floated round fan circles for years, Lillard mentioned the subject wasn’t one thing anybody addressed whereas filming the unique “Scream.” Nonetheless, he’s absolutely embraced the interpretation in recent times, particularly because the subtext surrounding the duo has gained traction amongst horror followers.

“Right here’s the truth, it was by no means mentioned on the day, it was not a problem,” Lillard defined to the viewers. “However I believe that we each actually like it and maintain on to it now because it’s form of grown in recognition, this thought that these two characters have been homosexual.”

The “Scooby-Doo” alum went on so as to add that what makes the idea so particular is that it belongs to the followers and might’t be taken away. “The reason being which you could’t take it away, like, no one can strip us of that perception,” he continued. “And on this planet we’re residing in proper now, like… dwell with it.”

Earlier than “Scream” turned a billion-dollar franchise, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher set the tone as the unique Ghostface killers. On the floor, the 2 have been highschool besties turned cold-blooded killers. However followers have lengthy clocked their chemistry, the extraordinary stares, the shoulder touches, the best way Stu virtually melts below Billy’s management. It wasn’t simply homicide, but it surely was a bond.

Lengthy earlier than Lillard publicly declared that Billy and Stu have been “for positive homosexual,” “Scream”’s personal creator had already hinted at it. Kevin Williamson, the brazenly homosexual screenwriter behind the 1996 slasher traditional, confirmed that the characters have been loosely impressed by real-life killers Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, two lovers who shocked the world in 1924 once they murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in what they known as “the proper crime.”

“It’s very form of homoerotic, within the sense that there have been these two guys that killed this different individual simply to see if they may get away with it,” he defined in 2022. “And one of many causes that one may get the opposite one [to follow] is as a result of I believe the opposite one was secretly in love with him. … In case you Google ‘Leopold and Loeb,’ you’ll see, that’s Billy and Stu.”

Almost three a long time after surprising audiences as Stu Macher in Wes Craven’s “Scream,” Lillard is formally again, and he’s feeling the stress. The fan-favorite actor, who not too long ago confirmed his return for the upcoming “Scream 7,” informed PEOPLE that stepping again into such an iconic function wasn’t an instantaneous sure. “I’m nervous, as a result of at this level in my life, the one factor I can do is form of destroy how folks think about Stu,” Lillard admitted. “Particularly if I come again and I suck or I used to be lame.”

The 55-year-old actor mentioned the choice to return to the franchise was each thrilling and terrifying. The danger, nevertheless, was one he couldn’t cross up, particularly with “Scream 7” marking 30 years for the reason that authentic movie hit theaters. “I haven’t seen the film but,” he revealed. “I don’t know if it really works, but it surely’s a threat. And it’s a threat that I used to be excited to take.”