Matthew Lillard Shares His Thoughts on Quentin Tarantino’s Critique of His Acting

Matthew Lillard on Dec. 2, 2025; Quentin Tarantino on Oct. 19, 2021.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Matthew Lillard discussed Quentin Tarantino’s criticism of his acting and the reactions he’s received from fans and other actors in a new interview.
• Tarantino identified Lillard as an actor he does not “care for” during a December appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.
• In response, George Clooney announced he would be “honored to work with” Lillard, Paul Dano, and Owen Wilson, who were also mentioned by Tarantino, at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Jan. 10.

Matthew Lillard has opened up about the backlash following Quentin Tarantino’s recent criticism of his acting. Tarantino, 62, stirred controversy during a December episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, where he stated he does not “care for” Lillard, 56, along with fellow actors Paul Dano and Owen Wilson.

In the wake of Tarantino’s remarks, Lillard, Dano, and Wilson received strong public support from several high-profile figures, including George Clooney. During an event at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Clooney expressed that he would be “honored to work with” any of the three actors.

“It was crazy. I keep showing it to my wife to convince her that I am worthy, that people still like me,” Lillard shared in an interview with Entertainment Weekly on January 28. He humorously added, “I am a piece of ass!”

Lillard described the surge of support after Tarantino’s comments went viral as “like living through your own wake.” He reflected on the heartfelt messages he received, saying, “I just got to live through all of it firsthand — alive and kicking!” He noted, “I can’t imagine a more lovely reaction to what happened.”

“Nobody has to like me,” Lillard added. “It’s personal preference. I am not everyone’s first choice, that is obvious, but to then have that kind of reaction was beautiful.”

Matthew Lillard in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.

Ryan Green / Universal Pictures

Earlier in December, Lillard addressed Tarantino’s remarks during a panel at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio. When asked about the comments, he dismissed them with a candid response: “Yeah, whatever. Who gives a s—.” He further commented on how such criticism can hurt, indicating that it wouldn’t be said to A-list actors like Tom Cruise.

The timing of Tarantino’s comments and the support from fans coincides with Lillard’s anticipated return as Stu Macher in the upcoming seventh installment of the Scream franchise, set to hit theaters on February 27.

Matthew Lillard and Quentin Tarantino.

Monica Schipper/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty; Kevin Winter/Getty

Stu Macher was believed to have perished in the original Scream, and Lillard noted that neither his wife, Heather, nor their three children are aware of how or why his character is returning in the new film. “One of the joys of this franchise is sitting in the dark with the entire world discovering what the twist is this time,” he explained. “To ruin that for anyone is to ruin one of the great joys of going to the cinema.”

Scream 7 is scheduled to premiere in theaters on February 27.