Matthew Lillard, best known for his role as one of the original Ghostface killers in the iconic slasher film *Scream*, recently shared a significant regret from his time on the 1996 set. At the launch of Ghost Face Vodka on February 19, 2026, he revealed to *People* magazine that he wishes he had kept one of the original Ghostface masks.
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Reflecting back, Lillard lamented, “If I could go back in time, I’d steal the sh-t out of that thing.” Although he has returned to the *Scream* franchise for the upcoming *Scream 7*, the actor admitted he does not currently own such a prized piece of memorabilia, stating, “I don’t. I wish I had one of the original masks.”
During the interview, Lillard disclosed that he did not take any items from the set after filming, saying, “No, nothing. I wasn’t really in the era of collectibles like it is now.” He described himself as an “adamant rule follower,” which led to his decision to leave the props where they belonged despite many people asking about the items he may have taken.
In *Scream*, Lillard portrayed the character of Stu Macher, sharing the screen with an impressive cast that included Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell, and Courteney Cox. After his role in *Scream*, he also gained recognition for voicing Shaggy in the *Scooby-Doo* live-action films. From that set, he was able to keep a few small tokens, including a framed picture of the Luna Ghost and a replica skull from Spooky Island, both of which he described as “gifts from the production.”
As Lillard gears up for the latest *Scream* instalment, he reflected on the three-decade journey since the original film’s release. He noted his career is currently experiencing a renaissance, which he finds both rewarding and humbling. “I have had this moment that I’m in the middle of right now, which is this sort of renaissance for my career,” he explained, adding that he feels grateful for the opportunities he has received, regardless of the ups and downs.
Besides returning to the *Scream* franchise, Lillard has been busy with several other exciting projects. In recent years, he has appeared in the *Five Nights At Freddy’s* series and joined Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of *Carrie*, along with a role in *Daredevil: Born Again* and a project with Pedro Pascal titled *Behemoth!*.
In conjunction with his return to the horror genre, Lillard has ventured into the spirits market. In partnership with Fun World, the company behind Ghostface, he co-founded the liquor brand Find Familiar Spirits and recently launched Ghost Face Vodka. Lillard describes the venture as “humbling,” highlighting the collaborative nature of the project.
“It is really amazing,” he said. “We’re a small team, and we took a long time to licence from Fun World, who’ve been incredible and fantastic partners. It’s building things that you’re passionate about, that you love, and sharing that passion with people who love the same thing really makes the work light and joyful.”
As Lillard continues to build upon his legacy in the film industry, he reminisces about his formative years on the set of *Scream* and the cultural phenomenon it has become. Despite not having one of the masks from that era, his passion for the industry and excitement for the future of his career certainly shines through. As he prepares for the release of *Scream 7*, fans are undoubtedly eager to see what this enduring talent will bring to the franchise once more.