Interview: Matthew Lillard on ‘The Life of Chuck,’ His Blue-Collar Roots, and Why Mark Hamill Deserves an Oscar [VIDEO]

Matthew Lillard has built a career on playing unforgettable characters. From the deranged Stu Macher in Wes Craven’s Scream to the lovable, perpetually hungry Shaggy Rogers in the Scooby-Doo live-action films, Lillard has long moved between horror and comedy with ease. But in Mike Flanagan’s poignant adaptation of The Life of Chuck, he takes on one of his most grounded and introspective roles yet: Gus, a construction worker with an uncanny sense of what’s happening as the world quietly unravels.

Speaking at a recent press day, Lillard reflected on the stark contrast between this character and some of his more outlandish past roles. “How do you go from Shaggy to a serial killer back to Shaggy,” he said. “That’s the job. The job is to jump effortlessly into the boots that are presented to you.”

In The Life of Chuck, based on a novella by Stephen King, Gus may not appear for long, but his presence resonates. Lillard explained how the character allowed him to tap into something personal. “My whole family is sort of blue collar, so I got to lean into my history as to who I am as a man,” he said, referencing his upbringing in blue-collar Michigan. That authenticity—both emotional and cultural—shines through in his brief yet impactful scenes.

Known for his genre work and cult fanbase, Lillard is also a self-described horror aficionado. He acknowledged that The Life of Chuck might surprise Flanagan fans who expect traditional scares. “If we can get them to the theater, I think, what my experience was in the theater, both times I’ve seen it was that something happens to the people watching it.” He continued, “But the reality is I do think the movie is special. And my hope is that somehow someway, they find themselves in that dark theater and they find an experience that is only happening in those shared spaces where the magic happens.”

The conversation turned deeply personal when Lillard was asked about a moment he’d relive from his own life. He answered with quiet honesty: “I think I’d go back and have one last golf game with my dad,” he said, referring to his father, who is currently living with dementia.

Though his screen time is limited, Lillard leaves a lasting impression. Before wrapping, he offered a passionate endorsement of his co-star, Star Wars legend Mark Hamill, who plays Chuck’s grandfather in the film. “He needs to be nominated for an Academy Award, I’m the one that’s going to champion that.”

From fan-favorite horror icons to soulful blue-collar philosopher, Matthew Lillard continues to defy expectations—and champion the art of transformation.

NEON will release The Life of Chuck in theaters on June 6.