One of the most debated mysteries in horror history remains officially unsolved. Thirty years after the release of Wes Craven's Scream, the two actors who played its killers say no one knows who murdered fan-favorite character Tatum Riley.
Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich, who played best friends and co-killers Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, addressed the question directly at the Scream 30th reunion panel at Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, California last Saturday. They were asked point-blank who was wearing the Ghostface costume when Tatum, played by Rose McGowan, was killed in the film's famous garage door scene.
According to The Wrap, Ulrich gave a definitive answer: "To be honest, not even [screenwriter] Kevin Williamson knows who killed [Tatum]. And he wrote the damn thing." He continued, "And we never discussed it. So, it's really fan theory, which I think is great. But, I don't know. No one knows."
Lillard, however, offered his own personal theory. He told the crowd he always believed his character, Stu, was responsible, saying it happened "because she said 'no' to going to prom."
The panel also gave the actors a chance to reflect on the most physically demanding part of filming the original movie. The final sequence, known among fans as Scene 118, is a 42-minute stretch set during the house party confrontation at the film's climax. It required 21 consecutive night shoots to complete.
Ulrich described what that process was like. "When you see the film, the energy that he and I and Neve [Campbell] and everybody is producing, we had to do daily for all that time," he said. "So, that sticks out to me as being most memorable. And fun, because I got to hit [Lillard] with a phone."
Lillard agreed, adding context about the production conditions. "We shot at night. So, we were living a nocturnal life. And also, back then, we only had one camera … you would have to do a take on every angle, every set-up multiple times. So, that sequence is really brutal and stands out in my memory."
The panel also included original cast members Jamie Kennedy and Joseph Whipp, along with stunt actor Lee Waddell and Ghostface voice performer Roger L. Jackson.
Fans will have a chance to see the original film on the big screen again this fall. Paramount Scares, the dedicated horror brand for Paramount Pictures, confirmed at the panel that Scream will be re-released in theaters in October to mark the 30th anniversary.
