Matthew Lillard Originally Thought “Scream” Was ‘Lame’ and Nobody Would See It: ‘Here We Are 30 Years Later’

The original “Scream” film, a pioneer in the slasher genre, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and its stars have gathered at New York Comic Con to reflect on its unexpected success. Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, and Jamie Kennedy shared their memories from 1996, a time when the film’s future seemed uncertain.

During the panel discussion held on October 9, Lillard was candid about his initial impressions of the film. He recalled many cast members, including Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, were not anticipating the film would resonate with audiences on the level it ultimately did. “We had no clue,” Ulrich laughed, acknowledging the chemistry they shared but highlighting their expectation of making another ordinary movie. “It’s unheard of for almost any film to have this longevity of interest,” he added, noting that they never truly considered it would remain relevant decades later.

As they reminisced, Lillard reflected on a moment from production when he was driving home in a van after a long night of filming, covered in the fake blood that epitomised the film’s horror. Surrounded by fellow actors discussing their future projects, he found it difficult to see the movie as anything but a stepping stone. “I thought, ‘This movie’s lame. Nobody’s ever gonna see it. I’m going to go become a television star,'” he recalled with a chuckle, revealing that he had recently filmed a pilot for a new series. “That pilot never went anywhere, and here we are 30 years later,” he added, prompting laughter from the audience.

“Scream” premiered in December 1996 alongside blockbuster releases like “101 Dalmatians” and “Jerry Maguire”. The film’s success came as a surprise, with Kennedy describing its release as akin to “the little brother” in Hollywood at the time. He noted that its rise to fame was a “slow burn” through the holiday season, eventually gaining popularity and critical acclaim. Lillard recounted how director Wes Craven held a celebratory dinner shortly after the film’s release, even when others were sceptical about its future. “The exit polls are beyond anything that Miramax or Dimension has ever seen,” Lillard remembered Craven saying, reinforcing that the film had a promising future even before it became a cultural phenomenon.

With “Scream” opening the doors for a franchise, Kennedy went on to appear in the sequel, “Scream 2”, in which his character Randy meets a violent end. Lillard and Ulrich have since reprised their roles in the more recent instalments of the franchise, making cameos in “Scream”, “Scream VI”, and the upcoming “Scream 7”, demonstrating the enduring legacy of their original characters, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher.

The franchise has expanded since its inception, continuously captivating a new generation of horror enthusiasts while maintaining a devoted fanbase. The stars’ presence at Comic Con confirmed that the impact of “Scream” continues to ripple through popular culture.

Looking ahead, Lillard is busy on other projects as well. He recently starred in the Prime Video adaptation of Stephen King’s “Carrie” and is set to appear in the film “Behemoth!”, alongside a star-studded cast including Pedro Pascal and Olivia Wilde, which is slated for release on December 4.

As the franchise marks this significant anniversary, the collective reflections of its leading actors remind us of how a film that once seemed like a minor project has etched itself into the history of cinema, influencing countless horror films and earning a place in the hearts of audiences around the world. The legacy of “Scream” is proof of the unpredictable nature of the film industry and the timeless appeal of a well-told story.