Matthew Lillard is experiencing a revival at present, but there is one thing that sets him apart from most Hollywood professionals currently riding the wave of nostalgia. In interviews promoting the upcoming release of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, along with other projects, Lillard stated that he believed he was working because “They just miss the old times. I don’t think anyone really likes me.” These statements generated much interest since they reflected on how the entertainment industry is becoming reliant on nostalgia for the time being.
Lillard attributed his career renaissance to his involvement with older franchise revivals such as Scooby-Doo and Scream, whose popularity grew after several years since their initial release. As such, he did not see his rise to prominence in the recent months as an affirmation of his talent.
Busy slate suggests more than just nostalgia at play
The list of Lillard’s current projects contradicts his own claims about his position in the industry. Not only does he appear in sequels and adaptations of popular franchises, but he also plays leading roles in several high-profile projects. For example, Matthew will star as William Afton in the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 movie, he will take part in the second season of Cross, and will play Stu Macher in Scream 7.
In addition, Lillard starred in The Life of Chuck, a movie directed by Mike Flanagan, which attracted much praise during its festival premiere.
As can be seen, Lillard’s participation in current popular projects goes beyond playing in remakes of well-known franchises and movies. His roles are placed at the forefront of modern genre films that rely greatly on casting.
The actor also made comments regarding his complex relationship with Shaggy Rogers – a character that used to make Lillard angry because it affected his independent career, including his participation in such movies as SLC Punk!.
At present, Lillard is not solely focused on his acting career. He continues his work in entrepreneurship and community development with the help of his company, Beadle & Grimm’s, and spirits brand featuring horror-themed cocktails. Moreover, Matthew also works as a teacher and takes part in theater productions.