Matthew Lillard may have moved into a new chapter of his career, but one role continues to follow him everywhere: Shaggy Rogers.
The actor, who famously brought the beloved Scooby-Doo character to life in the early 2000s live-action films, is now sharing his thoughts on Netflix’s upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo reboot. And while the franchise is entering a new era with fresh faces, Lillard’s reaction is filled with warmth, nostalgia, and a strong belief that the mystery-solving gang still matters today.
Matthew Lillard Welcomes Scooby-Doo’s Return
In a recent conversation about his expanding career—ranging from major horror projects to new business ventures—Lillard also opened up about the news that Netflix is developing a brand-new live-action Scooby-Doo series.
Rather than expressing hesitation or skepticism, he made it clear that he’s genuinely happy the franchise is coming back.
His biggest takeaway?
Scooby-Doo deserves to return to the spotlight.
Lillard shared that it has been far too long since audiences have had a proper Scooby-Doo animated series, calling that absence “horrible.” For him, the franchise is more than entertainment—it’s an important storytelling tool for children.
Scooby-Doo as Kids’ First Ghost Story
Lillard explained why Scooby-Doo has always been so special, particularly for younger viewers.
For many kids, Scooby-Doo is their first real introduction to spooky storytelling. It teaches them how mysteries work, how suspense builds, and how scary situations can still lead to safe resolutions.
He emphasized that the series offers more than monsters and haunted houses—it offers lessons.
At its heart, Scooby-Doo is about:
- Friendship
- Teamwork
- Loyalty
- Solving problems together
- Facing fears as a group
And of course, as longtime fans know, the “ghost” usually turns out to be something very human—often “a dangerous white man behind a mask,” as Lillard jokingly pointed out.
The formula may be familiar, but it’s also timeless.
Lillard’s Legacy as the Original Live-Action Shaggy
Scooby-Doo has been around since 1969, when the original animated series Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! debuted and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon.
But for an entire generation, the live-action movies of the early 2000s became their defining Scooby experience.
Matthew Lillard starred as Shaggy in the first live-action adaptation in 2002.
He appeared alongside:
- Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne
- Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred
- Linda Cardellini as Velma
Together, they formed Mystery Inc., the teenage sleuth group known for unmasking villains and debunking paranormal mysteries.
Scooby himself, the lovable Great Dane, was voiced by Neil Fanning.
The film was a massive event for fans and introduced the franchise to a new era.
A sequel followed in 2004: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, with both films directed by Raja Gosnell.
A Franchise Built on Friendship
When discussing Netflix’s upcoming reboot, Lillard expressed hope that the new creators stay true to what makes Scooby-Doo special.
He said he’s glad the show is returning, but he also admitted that he considers himself a bit of a purist when it comes to the franchise.
For him, Scooby-Doo isn’t just about solving mysteries.
The core of the story is friendship.
That bond between Shaggy, Scooby, Daphne, Velma, and Fred is what makes the franchise comforting, meaningful, and enduring.
Lillard hopes the Netflix version keeps that emotional center intact, even while trying something modern and new.
Netflix’s Modern-Day Scooby-Doo Reimagining
Netflix officially announced the new live-action Scooby-Doo project earlier this year, describing it as a modern-day reimagining with a fresh origin story.
The series is being developed by writers and showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg, with Greg Berlanti and Berlanti Productions also involved.
The plot will take viewers back to the beginning, focusing on the gang during their final summer at camp.
According to the official summary, the story will follow old friends Shaggy and Daphne as they become caught up in a haunting mystery involving a lonely lost Great Dane puppy.
That puppy may have witnessed a supernatural murder.
They are soon joined by:
- Velma, portrayed as pragmatic and scientific
- Freddy, described as strange but handsome
- A mystery that pulls them into a nightmare threatening to expose their secrets
The reboot aims to blend classic Scooby elements with a darker, modern mystery tone.
No Casting or Release Date Yet
As of now, Netflix has not announced casting details or a premiere date for the series.
That leaves fans curious about who will step into the iconic roles once played by actors like Lillard, Gellar, and Cardellini.
The anticipation is high, especially since Scooby-Doo remains one of the most recognizable animated franchises of all time.
The question now is whether Netflix’s version can capture the same charm while updating the story for a new generation.
Lillard’s Recent Conversation With James Gunn
Lillard also revealed that he recently spoke with filmmaker James Gunn, who wrote the scripts for the two Scooby-Doo live-action movies.
The conversation happened after Gunn reached out to him following some disparaging remarks made about Lillard by Quentin Tarantino on a podcast.
The discussion eventually turned toward Scooby-Doo and the surprising legacy the films have built over time.
How Scooby-Doo Became a Comfort Movie
Lillard offered an interesting theory about why the Scooby-Doo movies became such long-lasting favorites.
He believes timing played a huge role.
Around the time the first movie was released, DVDs were becoming extremely popular. Families would buy them, toss them into car rides, play them at home, and rewatch them endlessly.
Lillard joked that the DVD probably got stuck in the back of people’s SUVs—but kids loved it, parents loved it, and the movie kept playing.
While the first film performed very well and the second did moderately, their true success came later through repeated viewings.
Over time, Scooby-Doo became a comfort movie for generations.
That kind of cultural staying power is rare—and it’s why the franchise continues to return.
Final Thoughts: Scooby-Doo Still Matters
Matthew Lillard’s reaction to Netflix’s reboot is filled with genuine optimism.
He wants Scooby-Doo back, not just because it’s nostalgic, but because it plays an important role in childhood storytelling.
Whether the new live-action series becomes a hit or not, one thing is clear: Scooby-Doo remains timeless, and fans across generations still care deeply about the gang, the mysteries, and the friendships at the heart of it all.