Matthew Lillard believes nostalgia played a major role in his recent return to Hollywood. The actor, known for playing Shaggy in the live-action “Scooby-Doo” films, said audiences and studios are looking back at past pop culture moments with new interest.
Lillard said a renewed passion for movies has helped him get a job again, even as he joked that people don’t necessarily love him as much as they miss the era he represents.
Matthew Lillard speaks Nostalgia for Hollywood In the “hero stage”
During a recent appearance on the “Phase Hero” podcast, Lillard spoke about the renewed popularity of “Scooby-Doo” and “Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.” The first and second ‘Scooby-Doo’ films are more popular now than they ever were when they were released.
“So I think there’s a weird nostalgic thing going on in our industry and in the zeitgeist because I think people long for the old times,” Lillard said.Lillard added that his association with that period shaped the momentum of his current career. “I think that’s one of the reasons I had that moment to be honest, because I was recognized in that moment, so people hired me again.”Lillard then laughed and said, “I guess that’s why I work.
I don’t think anyone really loves me. “They just miss the old times.”The actor had previously reflected on a difficult phase in his career in a 2024 interview with Business Insider. After returning as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Lillard said he expects the film to elevate his career by years.
Matthew Lillard talks about his career setback in ‘Scooby-Doo’.
Lillard told Business Insider that after Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, he thought it would be “No. 1 on my movie request list for the next 10 years.”
Instead, the film struggled at the box office and “quite the opposite happened.”The actor said that this period forced him to rethink what he wanted from acting. “I was preoccupied with the success of what I was doing, I was preoccupied with the parts I was getting, I was preoccupied with this campaign to become quote-unquote famous,” Lillard said.Lillard also admitted that his career has gone through varying stages. “I’ve had good patches and bad patches.
I was irrelevant and thought I would never work again.Lillard’s big comeback came in 2023, when he played William Afton in Five Nights at Freddy’s. Since then, he has continued to book high-profile roles. His recent and upcoming projects include “The Life of Chuck,” “Five Nights and Freddy’s 2,” “Scream 7,” and “Daredevil: Born Again.” He will also appear in Mike Flanagan’s TV series “Carrie” and star with Pedro Pascal, Will Arnett and Olivia Wilde in the film “Behemoth!” Directed by Tony Gilroy.
