Matthew Lillard was navigating the tumultuous waters of the acting world in the early 2000s, grappling with financial instability until a stroke of good fortune, in the form of Freddie Prinze Jr., came through for him.
“The reality is that [our film] Summer Catch emerged at a time when finances were tight. I had auditioned for it, feeling optimistic about how it went; I was eager to seize this opportunity, so I sent director Mike Tollin three telegrams to advocate for my casting as the catcher. Unfortunately, I’m 6’4″. His response was, ‘Dude, there are no 6’4″ catchers,’” Lillard, now 55, shared in an exclusive with Us Weekly while discussing his collaboration with Exact Sciences’ Cologuard test.
Lillard recounted that, despite Tollin recognizing his talent and assuring future roles, he was deemed unsuitable for the part of a catcher in a minor league baseball setting. Meanwhile, Prinze Jr. had already secured the role of pitcher Ryan in the 2001 film, prompting Lillard to call in a favor.
“I reached out to Freddie—having previously starred together in She’s All That and Wing Commander—and said, ‘If you could put in a good word for me, I’d be thrilled to take on the catcher role.’ Surprisingly, I received the offer the very next day,” he recalled.
Summer Catch follows Ryan (played by Prinze Jr.) as he embarks on a quest to join a summer baseball league on Cape Cod, where he falls for Tenley (Jessica Biel), daughter of an affluent family. Lillard’s character Bobby is Ryan’s catcher and witty friend, providing comic relief amid Ryan’s personal and professional challenges.
Interestingly enough, Prinze Jr.’s timely display of camaraderie came at a crucial juncture for Lillard, just ahead of his marriage to Heather Helm in 2000—a day when stress levels were already high due to financial constraints. “Freddie’s support was a godsend just before my wife and I were married. Heather had quit her job, and as a blue-collar actor lingering lower on the call sheet, the payments weren’t rolling in like one might think. It was a real struggle, and his call made a difference. I hold deep gratitude for that film,” shared Lillard.
In hindsight, Summer Catch marked the third pairing of Lillard and Prinze Jr. following She’s All That and Wing Commander. Their delightful duo would reunite once again in 2002 for Scooby-Doo and its sequel, portraying the beloved characters Shaggy and Fred, respectively.
Earlier this summer, Prinze Jr. humorously mentioned Lillard’s indebtedness to him in a lighthearted segment with Men’s Health, where he quipped, “Matthew doesn’t cause me stress, but I did give him a lot of work, and he should thank me.“
To which Lillard responded with an agreeable chuckle, “I really do!”
Lillard has been determined to return the favor. He mentioned making a strong case for Skeet Ulrich to Five Nights at Freddy’s creator Scott Cawthon when he inquired about casting his former Scream co-star in the anticipated sequel.
“When Scott asked me about Skeet for this role in the second movie, I eagerly sang his praises because he deserves it,” Lillard enthused. “He’s a wonderful person, remarkably talented, and a delight to have on set.”
Lillard takes on the role of William Afton, the notorious villain in the Five Nights films, while Ulrich will join him as the character Henry Emily, Afton’s former partner.
Both actors were notably selected for their roles due to their engaging interactions with devoted Scream fans. “Skeet and I often make it a point to stay as long as necessary at conventions to ensure everyone is looked after. Our dedication resonates well with Scott, as it displays our commitment to fans and the enjoyment of those interactions,” Lillard elaborated.
Lillard, who will reprise his role as a notably memorable villain in Scream 7, expressed yet again how privileged he feels to be part of such a cherished franchise. “It’s a blessing,” he remarked.
Additionally, Lillard has partnered with Exact Sciences, capitalizing on his reputation as a horror icon. In a recently launched campaign, he humorously calls out various “scary” aspects of life, which amusingly includes “a grown man with frosted tips”—a nod to his iconic hairstyle from the ‘90s—and the dire need to get screened for colon cancer at the age of 45.
“Having seen the devastating impacts of cancer personally, it made sense for me to engage in this campaign. If we can inspire even a handful of people to get tested, it’s a victory for humanity. And let’s face it, right now, we could all use a few more wins,” Lillard concluded with sincerity.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is set to grace theaters on December 5.
