Brief
Matthew Lillard admits he thought original Scream was “lame” before its cult rise
The actor reflected on his early doubts about Scream and later regrets about the Scooby‑Doo franchise.
By Felo News Desk · Published
At a New York Comic‑Con panel, Matthew Lillard said he considered the original 1996 Scream film “lame” and believed it would never find an audience. He recalled driving home covered in fake blood at about six a.m., discussing future plans with co‑stars Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell, and deciding to pursue television instead.
Lillard added that the pilot he hoped would launch his TV career never materialised, and “here we are 30 years later,” noting the franchise’s unexpected longevity. He also spoke about his mixed feelings toward the early‑2000s live‑action Scooby‑Doo movies, saying the first film was a big opportunity but the sequel led to a career “nosedive” and a love‑hate relationship with the franchise.
Key facts
- Lillard thought Scream was “lame” and doubted its success (variety.com)
- He was driving home covered in blood at about six a.m. after filming (variety.com)
- The pilot he pursued never aired, and the Scream franchise became a cult hit over 30 years (variety.com)
- He described the Scooby‑Doo movies as a love‑hate relationship that hurt his career (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Matthew Lillard Says He Thought ‘Scream’ Was ‘Lame’ and ‘Nobody’ Would See It Before It Became a Hit: ‘Here We Are 30 Years Later’”
