MATTHEW LILLARD RESPONDS TO QUENTIN TARANTINO CRITICISM

Quentin Tarantino is very outspoken about the things he likes, and he has been very vocal about his favorite films. However, he is also vocal about what he doesn't like, and one of his latest comments involved scream king Matthew Lillard.

Tarantino appeared on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast to share his 20 favorite movies of the 21st century so far. During the conversation, he threw shade at Paul Dano, as well as Owen Wilson, and Lillard. During an appearance at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio, Lillard reacted to Tarantino's criticism.

"Quentin Tarantino this week said he didn't like me as an actor," Lillard said on stage, as the crowd booed. "Eh, whatever. Who gives a s---."

He swiftly changed his tune and admitted that the comments did affect him, noting, "It hurts your feelings. It f---in' sucks," he said. "And you wouldn't say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldn't say that to somebody who's a top-line actor in Hollywood."

Lillard added that he's not a very popular actor in the industry, despite the public acclaim. "I'm very popular in this room. I'm not very popular in Hollywood. Two totally different microcosms, right? And so, you know, it's humbling, and it hurts."

In the original comment, Tarantino was discussing one of his favorite films, 2007's There Will Be Blood. He said it's his fifth-favorite movie of the 21st century, but noted it had only one big drawback: Paul Dano. "There Will Be Blood would stand a better chance to be in number 1 or number 2 if it didn't have a big giant flaw in it, and the flaw is Paul Dano," Tarantino said, calling the actor "weak sauce."

He continued, "I don't care for him," the filmmaker responded. "I don't care for him, I don't care for Owen Wilson, and I don't care for Matthew Lillard."

Matthew Lillard Is in High Demand

Although Lillard believed he is not a big draw in Hollywood, he is in high demand, with several projects on the way. His most recent release is out in theaters, Five Nights at Freddy's 2. The sequel to the 2023 horror hit was even worse received by the critics, but it has great scores from the audience, highlighting how popular the scream king star is.

Lillard is also making his way back to the Scream franchise 30 years later. "I was really excited," Lillard told CBR's Grae Drake when asked about his return as Stu Macher, "Who, whoa, whoa. Get your opinion - what is that? Sir, your legs - just throwing heaps of - I know, it’s the movie."

He continued, "I’m definitely a little worried that people will question why I came back. Or, they’ll be like, ‘That was cheesy,’ or they hate my performance. Or they’re like…"

When asked if he was talking about the results or the actual work, Lillard clarified, "Work. I mean both, but really - one of the things I always think about; you do this thing, you have a script, you go out there, and you do your best, you’re trusting the director."

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is currently in theaters. Scream 7 premieres on Feb. 27, 2026.

2025-12-08T03:26:25Z