They say you should never meet your heroes, so I — an avid horror fan, and a long-time fan of Stu Maher in particular — was worried about getting into my Zoom with Matthew Lillard, somehow I will leave disappointed. To be honest, the actor and father of three wasn’t exactly who I imagined he would be.
He’s even better.
Like many of us who fell in love with Lillard for the first time hacker 1995, OG scream 96 years, or SLC Punk In 1998, I had long suspected that this person was really a treasure. He’s kind, funny, down to earth, and lovably self-deprecating. He has been happily married to his wife, Heather, for over two decades, which should become a case study in Hollywood. He gets emotional as he talks about his three children: Addison, 22, Macy, 20, and Liam, 16.
Luckily for those of us who are his ardent fans, he’s busier than ever: In addition to signing a multi-film deal to play the wildly successful William Afton, Five Nights at Freddy’sLillard has a small part in Mike Flanagan’s Stephen King adaptation, Chuck’s life.
He also played Flanagan (midnight mass, Hill House is Haunted) into his new venture, Tequila Macabre Spirits, the latest product line from Lillard’s fan-focused company Find Familiar Spirits. The first release in the series, a premium reposado tequila, is currently available for pre-order and comes with Flanagan’s original novella.
So, there’s a lot to look forward to from our favorite people. When we met, he told me about his current projects and whether he would return to scream universe, and a holiday tradition he looks forward to every year (really? no Saw this coming).
SM: The whole concept around Macabre is really cool. How did this happen?
Matthew Lillard: Our belief is that you should give the community something that other brands really recognize. It’s not that there’s a whiskey that’s going for a horror theme – if it is, they just want people to buy their product. Like, putting a skeleton on a product is not really a community approach.
So, we made this tequila, Macabre Spirits. This is reposado; it’s delicious. Each bottle is shipped directly to your home and the entire process is an unboxing experience. On top of that, you’ll see an incredible horror story written by Mike Flanagan. Horrible to read.
SM: What horror fan wouldn’t want this novella?
ML: Really? This is great. It was supposed to be 15,000 words, and Mike Flanagan said, ‘Hey, do you mind if I come over? I fell in love with this story. It’s about 80 pages now. I mean, it’s crazy. So we hope that if fans see it, they’ll understand that if you’re going to drink tequila, you might as well drink our tequila and enjoy a book.
SM: Oh my gosh, yes. Now that you and Flanagan have been linked together, horror fans will definitely want you two to work together more. Any plans for the future?
Matthew Lillard: The good news is — he’s busy, and I’m busy. If Mike Flanagan is interested in me joining the Flana Fam, I’m 100 percent willing. I keep asking: What movie would you like to be in one day? My answer is always the same, that’s what James Gunn does next. We are good buddies; I love him to death. Now the answer is what James Gunn and Mike Flanagan are doing. I just feel that this world [Flanagan]. The way he makes films is a joy and I hope to be a part of this journey again at some point.
SM: One horror series you would definitely sign on to is Five Nights at Freddy’s. I read that your dick had an emotional reaction to you getting the role because they were happy for you. Did they give you any feedback after the first movie came out?
ML: Oh, that’s a good question. They didn’t really give me anything back… I don’t know if we watched the movie together, it would be crazy. I did take everyone to Toronto to experience the world premiere Chuck’s lifeI will never forget that experience.
The good thing about my family – and this comes directly from my wife – is that no one gives a shit about my work. They all love that we have a great house and that I can support the kids, but when it comes to my job, it’s not something we sit around and celebrate.
So they were really excited that I got the job, and then I guess the movie came out and they went off to college… My dick is an actor in his own right; They are an incredible cast. I do think it was really powerful for them to see me perform in the film and to be able to have direct conversations afterwards.
SM: I’ve been to a few horror movie groups and I’ve never seen people be as nice to you or talk as much about someone as they did to you. I know you value connecting with your fans. Do you think the downside is something you will continue to do?
ML: First of all thank you very much. I’m really grateful. I often say to my wife: As long as you say something nice to me, I accept it; I hear it in a very different way. So it’s really lovely to say thank you for saying some kind words. Look, my whole approach to fame is I don’t really care about fame. My only concern is its value to other people.
So, if I have someone around me — a queer, non-binary kid in the middle of Kansas, or someone in the middle of any state in America who’s struggling with addiction — and have the ability to make them feel seen or Give them a moment to give them a deep hug and you just try to pour love into someone else…that has value to the world and it has value to me, so I’m going to continue to do that.
I say this all the time: In less than a minute you can save a child’s life. If you can make someone feel valued, if you make someone feel important, you can save that child’s life. It can be exhausting at times, but if you can get in front of people, it’s a super powerful moment.
SM: That’s a lovely answer. ok we gotta talk scream And Stu, the beginning of my unhealthy obsession with bad boys. There is a callback in scream 6 Whether “you believe he is really dead”. Did you know there was that line there?
ML: No, I don’t know. I mean, those boys are, they’re incredible directors. I think what they did in the last two movies was really great and I’m sad to see them leave the series. Still, having Kevin Williamson back is great. I think the franchise is in the best hands. Look, the reality is I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. I can play for the team if it makes sense for them and the fans. I think it would be fun, but it would have to make sense.
SM: That’s fair. I am also willing to satisfy 13 ghosts The sequel stars Dennis as the new withered lover.
ML: The funny thing is, they were making a TV show and I reached out and said, “I don’t think you realize that movie was so popular.” So many people liked it. 13 ghosts. So I thought, ‘You can make me a ghost. I can be available. But Hollywood has long not cared what I thought about the parts I thought I was good at. (laugh)
SM: Oh, my God. Yes. We put it out there.
ML: Let’s get started. We will accept it.
SM: So, what horror movies do you watch every year? I just did my annual scream Rewatch.
ML: I didn’t…that’s not my cup of tea. One thing we do is every year we go out for Thanksgiving. My family and I went to Seattle—where my mom and dad were, where my sister was—and our family, the five of us, would sit on the couch and watch Great pottery thrown awayit’s like a pottery competition show that we watch every year and I absolutely love it.
In fact, it was my first vacation. It’s zero pressure. Lots of time with my kids and we can watch this Great pottery thrown away. So, I’m excited.
