Matthew Lillard says he thought Scream was "lame" and that nobody would see it while he was filming it. The actor, 56, made the admission at a New York Comic Con panel, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Lillard recalled riding home in the back of a car at around 6 in the morning, covered in blood, after a night shoot. He had just filmed a pilot and figured the horror film would sink without a trace while he became a television star.
The pilot, he said, never went to series. "Here we are 30 years later," he said, adding that nobody could have possibly imagined what the franchise would become.
He played Stu Macher in the 1996 original, a role that lifted him into the mainstream, and reprised it in Scream 7. The film's 30th anniversary arrives in December.
He has been equally frank about other franchises. In a Variety video series, he said he came to resent the Scooby-Doo films after the sequel disappointed at the box office, which meant downsizing his life.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Lillard noted that the unpredictability of Hollywood is what makes the industry both challenging and rewarding. He emphasized that his initial judgment of the project was a result of the exhaustion and uncertainty that often accompanies early-career actors.
The actor's candid nature has earned him a loyal fanbase, as he frequently shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes that humanize the glitz and glamour of the film industry. As fans prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic slasher film, Lillard's comments serve as a reminder of how humble beginnings can lead to legendary status in cinema history.
Looking ahead, Lillard continues to be an active presence in the industry, balancing his legacy roles with new creative endeavors that keep him relevant in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape. Ultimately, the success of the Scream franchise stands as a testament to the collaborative effort of the cast and crew, proving that even those involved in a project may not always foresee its lasting cultural impact.