@stu-machers-girl and another gem in my collection! I’ve also got the fake plastic version of the knife that looks like it’s bleeding, and I’m saving for a better replica! 🥰
1996′s “Scream” // Stu Macher survives - [Fan Theory]
As a horror movie fan,
My brain is always sort of reimagining and rethinking ways to flip their ideas as a whole, whether it’s fantasy recasting or even changing the ending altogether. Specifically to this piece, I want to focus on 1996’s Scream, written by the legendary Wes Craven. Now, Scream’s essence was to parody and poke fun at what fans know to be ever-so-classic slasher/thriller films.
In honor of what this film was, and all in good fun, I’ve decided to put my own fictional events into a loosely based timeline.
I’m going to be tying in two separate film timelines (very very loosely)—and yes, they both have one actor in common: Matthew Lilard. Matthew was a huge part of my childhood, and I’m sure he was a big part in others’. For this piece I’m focusing on both Scream and 2002’s live-action Scooby Doo films that featured Lillard.
Stu Macher // Scream (1996) screencap / source: google images
Theatrical poster for Scream (1996). (Source: Amazon)
(I’m not going to incorporate the Mystery Gang or even Scooby, focusing more so on a fictional similarity basis.
Disclaimer: This is obviously just a satirical piece because well, I wanted to write it. I don’t own the characters, rights, yadda yadda. Also, potential spoilers for various movies ahead.)
(written by Stella, edited by Jacob J.)
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Stu Macher
As an 18-year-old high-schooler, Stu Macher appeared as the seemingly peculiar boyfriend of Casey Becker (Drew Barrymore), but became entangled in revenge by his best friend Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich).
Their 1st victim was Maureen Prescott, who had an affair with Billy’s father, causing Billy’s mother to leave. (They got away with it by framing Cotton Weary, Maureen’s rapist from years prior.)
One year later, to celebrate, Billy and Stu terrorize fellow students, particularly Casey, who’d left Stu for another man (Steve).
Stu ultimately meets his “fatal” demise after being hit over the head with a vase, then a television, by Sidney—which seemed to electrocute Stu and end his reign of terror.
If you’re a fan of the franchise, you know the deal. If you don’t, then you can catch up here.
Stu Macher’s death-by-TV scene. (Source: Tumblr. Watch the scene on Youtube)
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Now just for fun, imagine that Stu somehow survived this attack. You’re probably wondering, “How the everloving hell could he survive?” Just work with me here.
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Stu’s (fictional) survival story:
What if...
After seemingly killing Stu,
Sidney calls the police. She’s absolutely still mortified, but she wants to explain what she’s done and also obviously tell them all about the mass killings that Stu and Billy committed.
Stu is barely hanging on to life. The police call an ambulance and escort him to the local hospital for treatment under close police watch. Stu winds up suffering from traumatic brain injury.
When he’s functioning enough, after questioning and court decision that placing him into a jail wouldn’t be fit, Stu is admitted into a high security psychiatric hospital. During questioning, Stu cannot recall what had happened and shows signs of dissociative episodes.
Matthew Lillard as Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo (2002). (Source: Google Images.)
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Whilst in this psychiatric hospital,
Stu takes on this very laid back, hippy state, growing his hair out and taking a lax, almost spiritual mindset. (Mind you, this is all a scheme.) With this change in his behaviour, the hospital allows Stu to help run some recreational crafting and board game-like activities.
During this time he connects with a fellow patient, Mary.
They begin to bond, and he eventually convinces her to help him escape from there. Stu gives Mary the “I can’t be in here anymore, you see? I have a higher purpose, to help others on the other side of these walls” blah blah metaphysical spiel. Stu, with Mary’s help, escapes the ward by knocking out a guard with a vase (like Sidney did to him).
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Fast forward a bit...
Stu winds up creating and taking on the new identity of “Shaggy Rogers,” deciding to move back to California—but not in a home. He...well, “borrows” a beaten down van and lives as sort of a vagabond. He still keeps track of the goings-on in his old stomping grounds as copycat ghostfaces continue where he and Billy left off.
Scream newspaper prop. (Source: This Etsy listing)
Stu, now Shaggy, begins to feel guilty and vows to dedicate his life to following cases and crimes by himself.
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Years later...
Whilst headed on vacation, Shaggy is reunited by fate with Mary on the same plane. They reconcile and catch up the entire flight.
Shaggy and Mary Jane from 2002’s live-action Scooby-Doo film. (Source: Google Images.)
The island, disguised as an amusement park, has been accused of performing ritualistic killings and is home to a brainwashed cult.
Little does Shaggy know that Mary Jane knows exactly who he truly was— or that, someday, she would take out a planned revenge on the unsuspecting Stu.
Mary begs and ultimately convinces Shaggy to allow her to be by his side and help him.
Shaggy and Mary Jane from 2002’s live-action Scooby-Doo film. (Source: Google Images.)
When it’s all said and done, Mary is one of the island’s cult members, stringing Stu along, luring him to his true death and demise.
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I know this piece was incredibly out of left field, but I had such a damn blast creating this hypothetical situation. Maybe one day, Lillard will give this a read and know how much of a part he had in a lot of people’s childhoods.
Lillard responding to a fan’s tweet. (Source: junkee)
