Coming straight out of the blood-soaked role in Scream 7, which was released on February 27, 2026, Matthew Lillard is going back to the horror genre, but his reminiscences about another franchise have people talking.
Matthew Lillard reflects on Shaggy’s original jokes
In a series of interviews to mark his return to the horror genre, Lillard looked back at his role as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo and shed light on stories that have become almost mythical to the franchise’s loyal fanbase. What was the most surreal moment for the actor? The first day I was there was the toy factory scene with the Lunar Ghost. “So that’s the first sequence we shot in the film. That’s the very first time I put on the wig and walked to set right next to Pamela Anderson… I’m really proud of the work.”
Of course, the biggest surprise comes from the rumor of an edgier cut of the film itself. Lillard revealed that James Gunn’s original script was significantly more adult-oriented and bordering on R-rated material before it was changed into a family-friendly PG comedy film. Even the Shaggy and Scooby “stoner” subtext was not as subtle as it was in the final film itself. “There’s rumors that there is a much more risqué R-rated version of Scooby Doo that James Gunn originally wrote. Oh yeah. I’m the product of a lot of those jokes… and that’s a James Gunn specialty. And frankly, it was very funny. But some parents were like, I don’t know if we need that level of joke,” Lillard joked.
James Gunn has revealed in past interviews that certain scenes, such as the kiss between Velma and Daphne, were toned down or cut from the final film. Lillard revealed that he believed the film was “very funny” in its original form but understood why it was changed. “I mean, parents weren’t necessarily ready for Austin Powers-esque raunch within a cartoon brand,” he explained.
With Netflix’s Scooby-Doo! Origins in production, Lillard does not have any interest in playing Shaggy again and passing on the van keys. Lillard revealed he was a “purist” and believed Shaggy was a caretaker role meant to be passed on to others. “It’s not about you. It’s about those kids experiencing it for the first time,” he said.
However, 2026 will belong to Lillard as he stars in Scream 7 and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. Lillard is not just revisiting his past roles but redefining them.
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