Matthew Lillard attributes his recent resurgence in Hollywood to the nostalgia factor. The 56-year-old actor is known for his roles in the live-action Scooby-Doo films from the 90s and early 2000s, as well as the Scream series. Speaking on the Phase Hero podcast, Lillard explained why he has been taking on more roles lately.

Lillard said, "Scooby-Doo's first and second films are more popular now than when they were released. I think there's a strange nostalgia phenomenon happening in our industry and zeitgeist because people are longing for the good old days." He emphasized that he is currently experiencing "a moment" due to being recognized for roles from that era, which is why he is being rehired. In another humorous comment, he added, "Actually, the people hiring me don’t love me; they miss the old times."

In recent years, Lillard has seen a significant increase in roles in film and television, including returning as Stu Macher in Scream 7, and appearances in the Five Nights at Freddy's series, Cross, and Daredevil: Born Again. This period has been particularly satisfying, especially after Quentin Tarantino's viral criticisms. The director had made negative remarks about Matthew Lillard while also criticizing Paul Dano on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast in December.

Although Tarantino's harsh words initially upset him, Lillard later mentioned in an interview with People magazine that it made him realize how many fans and industry icons he has. The actor expressed, "It felt like I was watching RIP tweets as if I had died and people were remembering me in heaven. It was like sitting at my own funeral, experiencing the nice things people say after you’re gone." He highlighted the love and support he received from well-known figures like George Clooney, James Gunn, and Mike Flanagan.