Matthew Lillard Likens Scooby-Doo Legacy To Star Wars With Advice For Netflix Shaggy

For over two decades, Matthew Lillard has been synonymous with the character of Shaggy Rogers, first embodying the fearful glutton in the early 2000s live-action films and later voicing him in numerous animated projects. With Netflix currently developing a new live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ series, the torch is inevitably set to pass to a new performer who will don the iconic green shirt and brown pants. Lillard recently addressed this upcoming transition, offering sage wisdom to whoever lands the role and comparing the weight of the franchise to that of ‘Star Wars’.

The actor spoke candidly about the unique pressure that comes with stepping into a role that is so deeply ingrained in popular culture. According to Lillard, playing a member of Mystery Inc. is not merely an acting job but a responsibility to a massive, multi-generational fanbase. He explained that actors in these positions are essentially caretakers of characters that exist far beyond their individual performances. This sentiment echoes the challenges faced by actors joining other massive franchises, where fan expectations can be incredibly high and protective of the source material.

Lillard emphasized that the most important thing for the next Shaggy is to focus on delivering a performance they can be personally proud of. He noted that the character’s legacy is larger than any single actor, much like the iconic roles found in the ‘Star Wars’ universe. The advice suggests that trying to mimic previous iterations might not be as effective as finding an authentic, personal connection to the character while respecting what came before. He urged the future star to do their best to represent their own version of Shaggy rather than getting lost in the shadow of predecessors like himself or the legendary Casey Kasem.

One of the most touching parts of his advice centered on the public reception the new actor should expect. Lillard warned that eventually, the new star will be out in public and a child will recognize them simply as Shaggy. He framed this inevitable interaction not as a burden or a typecast to be feared, but as a badge of honor. This perspective highlights Lillard’s deep appreciation for the joy the franchise brings to younger audiences and suggests that the true reward of the role is the connection with the fans.

The upcoming Netflix project represents a major new chapter for the franchise, which has seen various iterations over the decades. While Lillard will not be reprising his live-action role for this specific series, his continued work in the animated sector keeps him firmly rooted in the ‘Scooby-Doo’ family. His comments serve as a gracious passing of the torch, acknowledging that while he has defined the character for a generation, the story of Mystery Inc. is built to endure through constant reinvention. The comparison to ‘Star Wars’ serves as a reminder that these characters are modern myths, constantly interpreted by new storytellers for new audiences.

If you were casting the new series, who would be your top choice to play the new Shaggy in the comments?