Matthew Lillard, the actor known for bringing iconic characters to life in films like *Scream* and the *Scooby-Doo* live-action movies, recently addressed a stinging critique from one of Hollywood’s most celebrated – and outspoken – directors, Quentin Tarantino.
During a fan event at GalaxyCon, Lillard openly discussed the unexpected blow of hearing Tarantino publicly dismiss his acting abilities. He admitted the comments, made on a recent podcast, genuinely stung, revealing a vulnerability rarely seen from the usually upbeat performer.
“Quentin Tarantino this week said he didn’t like me as an actor,” Lillard shared with the audience. “It hurts your feelings. It f*ing sucks.” He drew a stark contrast between his reception within the devoted fan community and the often-critical landscape of Hollywood itself.
Tarantino, a filmmaking force for decades, unleashed his criticisms during an appearance on *The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast*. He wasn’t holding back, singling out several actors he deemed underwhelming, creating a ripple effect throughout the industry.
The initial spark came while discussing his favorite films of the past 25 years. Tarantino explained that the epic *There Will Be Blood* was hampered by what he considered a weak performance from Paul Dano, claiming Dano couldn’t match the intensity of his co-star, Daniel Day-Lewis.
From there, the critique broadened, encompassing Owen Wilson and, ultimately, Matthew Lillard. The comments were particularly surprising given Wilson’s previous work in Tarantino’s admired film, *Midnight in Paris*.
Lillard’s name surfaced as an afterthought, a casual dismissal that nonetheless landed with considerable weight. He has never appeared in a Tarantino film, making the unsolicited opinion all the more jarring.
The director’s remarks ignited a swift backlash, with many in the industry rushing to defend the actors he’d targeted. Toni Colette publicly championed Paul Dano, while Ben Stiller and John Cusack emphatically declared his brilliance.
The outpouring of support extended beyond simple praise. Mattson Tomlin, co-writer of *The Batman Part II*, highlighted Dano’s talent as both an actor and a director, urging fans to seek out his film *Wildlife*. Simu Liu also joined the chorus of support on social media.
Lillard’s response, though laced with frustration, was remarkably grounded. He acknowledged the humbling nature of the criticism, recognizing the disparity between his popularity with fans and his standing within the Hollywood hierarchy. It was a raw, honest moment of reflection from an actor who has consistently delivered memorable performances.
