AceShowbiz - Matthew Lillard recently appeared on the inaugural episode of ScreenRant’s Going Method with Ash, where he offered fans an inside look at his career and teased exciting upcoming projects. Known for his iconic role as Stu Macher in the Scream franchise and as the definitive Shaggy for many Scooby-Doo fans, Lillard has continued to diversify his work, including launching a DnD-inspired improv comedy series called Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill! and delivering a moving performance in Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck. This episode of Going Method put Lillard in a playful competition involving Bloody Mary cocktails, created with his own company’s latest product, Ghost Face Vodka.

The new spirit, Ghost Face Vodka, is a German Potato Vodka launched in early February by Macabre Spirits, co-founded by Lillard and screenwriter Justin Ware. The vodka ties directly into the Scream universe, featuring a Mafia game accessible via a QR code on the bottle. Lillard explained, “One of the things that we do as a company is that we're never just transacting on the thing you love. We're giving you a story.” His vision is for people to gather, play the Mafia game, drink, and have fun together, enhancing the fan experience beyond just the movies.

Lillard’s return to the Scream franchise in Scream 7 was a surprise. After a brief cameo in Scream 2 and decades of rumors about his character Stu Macher’s fate, Lillard was unsure if he would ever reprise the role. Screenwriter and director Kevin Williamson initially suggested publicly that the franchise didn’t need Lillard’s return, which crushed the actor’s hopes. However, Williamson later clarified that his comments were meant to keep Lillard’s involvement a secret until the movie’s release. Unfortunately, the news leaked early, forcing an official announcement.

Lillard expressed gratitude for being back and emphasized his priority was fans’ enjoyment. He praised the previous creative team, Radio Silence, who directed Scream 5 and Scream 6, calling their work fantastic and applauding cast members like Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. However, he noted a difference in tone between the early films and the recent installments, describing the latter as more violent and less focused on the cat-and-mouse suspense that defined the originals. Williamson’s return as both writer and director for Scream 7 brings back that original charm, something Lillard welcomes enthusiastically.

While embracing his return to the horror classic, Lillard is also ready to close the chapter on another beloved role. When asked about joining the upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo series on Netflix, he declined, saying that the days of playing a “wily teenager” like Shaggy are behind him. However, he remains supportive of the franchise and has offered to mentor the next actor who takes on the role. Lillard described Shaggy as a symbol of storytelling’s power—portraying a scared kid who overcomes his fears and emphasizing the importance of friendship, which has personal significance for him.

Looking ahead, Lillard shared details about his work with director Mike Flanagan on the new TV adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie. Unlike the famous 1976 Brian De Palma film that focused on the prom scene, this adaptation delves deeper into the novel’s complex themes. Flanagan incorporates real-life incidents of bullying and presents the story from multiple perspectives: the parents, school faculty, and the students themselves. This approach modernizes the narrative, making it more relatable to today’s audiences.

Lillard praised Flanagan’s storytelling skills and his ability to honor King’s work with honesty and character depth. The adaptation features a talented young cast. Lillard’s enthusiasm for this project highlights his ongoing commitment to meaningful and challenging roles beyond his cult favorites.