Five Nights At Freddy's Interview: Matthew Lillard On Staying True To The Game & Returning To Horror

Matthew Lillard discusses which Five Nights At Freddy's games are the inspiration for the movie, the Scream homage, and working with Jason Blum.
Five Nights At Freddy's is available on Peacock, 4K UltraHD, Blu-ray, and DVD now. Read our full interview and article here: screenrant.com/five-nights-at...
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[@HabitsRabbits]

Lillard is the perfect William casting, the only thing he needs is more screentime.

[@loganentertainment1814]

I agree. His character is amazing, but he should have had more screen time.

[@peixinea]

YES!

[@sonicandgodzillafan]

Ngl I would like a backstory movie in the 80's with the missing kids

[@JenniferPoole.33272]

Yes! And become Springtrap!

[@RogueT-Rex8468]

No. When introducing a character of that caliber, too much screen time takes away of his threat presence. He’s like Firelord Ozai- you only hear of him. See glimpses of him. It’s only until the story comes close to its end that you see the real impact and volume of what he can do. He put the best foot forward. Which means that his next few movies will only magnify. It’s perfect. Symmetry my friend.

[@wzrdwill]

matthew lillard made the best role for william afton and i love that he really is trying to put thought into the character as well as staying true to the og fans.

[@joell4393]

@@kcyalater Not his fault and it's not big deal

[@Tiredartist9552]

@@kcyalaterawwww boohoo big sad no accent that wouldnt make that big of a difference

[@NotBuddy0]

​@kcyalater He never was. The original actor of William made the decision to make him british. This is a different timeline too. The original actor isn't even british, he's Australian

[@Chuchel-hh6hq]

@@kcyalater He never was British , the original VA of William in the games was just born in Australia , so he has kinda British accent . But it was never intended from Scott for William to be British , this is proved by the fact that in every media : books , games and now movies William lives in America . And its never said that he was born anywhere else , in books its even said that he was born in Utah,USA .

[@wzrdwill]

@@kcyalater getting pressed about an accent is absolutely wild

[@shawnplaysgam3s835]

“I started watching a bunch of playthroughs” there is a very big chance that scott made matthew lillard watch markiplier and i fucking love that

[@Cordray.]

Or MattPatt.

[@Cal-qx1gm]

Or cory

[@Cordray.]

@@Cal-qx1gm Yes

[@unhingedhook]

@@Cordray. It'd make sense for it to be Markiplier, he is the king of fnaf afterall.

[@lostkarai]

Or Dawko, it would be so funny to think of Matthew watching Lewis play FNaF

[@Stella57136]

The best criticism you can get is "We needed more". He was amazing as the character and I hope he has a bigger role in the sequel!

[@JenniferPoole.33272]

Same! I love him as William Afton, I love Josh as Mike, and I love Abby’s actress, and I love CoryXKenshin as the cabbie! I love everything and everyone in the movie!

[@Stella57136]

@@JenniferPoole.33272 Yeah the cast and characters in general were super fun :D

[@JenniferPoole.33272]

@@Stella57136 They still are! ^.^

[@flarestriker2005]

@@JenniferPoole.33272 I agree! Hope they all return, including MatPat(Sadly retiring 😔) as the waiter in the 2nd movie. Hopefully Markiplier will finally appear as a cameo or something in the 2nd movie to.

[@identitymatrix]

Matthew really has a voice that can not be mistaken.

[@Tom_7152]

UNDERRATED VIDEO. Matthew Lillard did such a good job!

[@SourJest]

​​@giulianobernadinicarlucci87when something is underappreciated basically

[@redsquire]

Matthew IS William Afton, perfect casting!!!

[@TeamTheme]

PJ Heywood is a close second

[@mistspirals]

When the ONLY critique you get is "there wasn't enough screen time", you KNOW it's gold

[@makeshiftgleeman7322]

for whatever bizarre reason, the algorithm has not been kind to this video(yet). p.s. Matthew Lillard was definitely the best part of the movie, I hope we see flashbacks with him. He says he wants more scenes out of the suit, and the best way that works rn is via flashbacks that further explore the story/world-building,, in "present" timeline we'd get him purely as springtrap probably on the 3rd instalment (maybe 2nd). i can imagine the writers/scott making real good use of him via flashbacks of his family and potentially of Henry (and maybe some retro "instructional videos"/"promotional" Fazbear entertainment tapes or recordings). also- nice to see confirmation that he practically based afton on Phone guy as per Scott's direction to the first 3 games (where phone guy is practically the only real character). It works perfectly for this adaptation of the story (instead of the much more cold and gravely english-accent versions we get in Sister Location, 'Pizzeria Simulator' and Ult. Custom Night. we still get the dark angry and cold aspects when he's in the suit, Lillard basically got to play Afton and "phone guy", it's best of both worlds. and I'm happy they essentially made matpat's "Purple guy = Phone guy" theory real. )

[@ikaiju-eu9wn]

he is basically the book william, which is also exactly like games william because of scott's rule of canon but in another timeline

[@TVHorrorArt]

My sister and I met him at MadMonster this year and saying he’s the sweetest is an understatement; he immediately gave us both a hug, and when we both broke out in tears (this man was our CHILDHOOD) he cupped our faces and said it’s ok 😭😭 we talked to him the next day as we had calmed down 😂 and we talked all things FNAF! He’s SO down to earth and just the warmest and sweetest person you can imagine-can’t wait to see him more as William Afton!!

[@DjMisphet23HWC]

Matthew Lillard is Willaim Afton🐰🔪...we need a full movie, maybe prequel, explaining Aftons back story, give Matthew more screen time!

[@Last-Scar-5675]

Maybe the next movie will be a prequel like the 2nd game was

[@VOgaming51official]

I mean, considering the movies are gonna be the first 3 games...

[@ScreamGeek]

Let’s go! I’m so Happy that Matthew Lilard played William Afton! He was phenomenal and I’ve seen the movie SO many times!

[@Bobster536]

The fact that Scott is so involved, understands what needs to be done, and has a team willing to follow his vision is just great to hear. Everyone just wants to make best fnaf movie possible.

[@user-zj4cn1dy8i]

Matthew Lillard did an incredible job as William Afton! His preformance honestly blew me away!!

[@NinToby]

The fact that he completely shut down any questions about opinions he had on where they should take the franchise shows how much respect he has for Scott and his vision, complete opposite of that actress disney casted for the live action Snow White who was trashing the OG in interviews 😂

[@Real_DvD]

Agreed

[@breebs]

I find it a little annoying, the reason I look for interviews is to get to know more about a person and their opinions. If he can't even answer which FNAF game was his favorite, it's not likely the interview is gonna bring any substance or new information

[@Schwoomy]

basically every disney protagonist is more interesting than Snow White, who has the depth of a teaspoon, lmao

[@swarple]

Commenting so more people see this. Loved Lillard in the movie, he brought his Matthew Lillard charm to Afton. The delivery of a lot of his lines as Raglan was hilarious.

[@idkimnotgoodatthis]

It might be morally wrong but William Afton/Springtrap is my favourite character of the franchise and Matthew is my favourite actor so I really want him to have more screentime next time!!

[@JenniferPoole.33272]

It’s not morally wrong! And I agree with you! He should get more screen time as William Afton/Springtrap! And he’s one of my favorite actors and William is now one of my favorite villains! I love seeing Matthew, Josh Hutcherson and CoryXKenshin in this movie! Matthew and Josh are some of my fav actors from my childhood. Grew up watching them in movies Scream, Scooby Doo movies (live action), Bridge To Teribithia, Zathura, etc. And CoryXKenshin is my fav KZbinr.

[@idkimnotgoodatthis]

@@JenniferPoole.33272 same!!! I was absolutely obsessed with Scooby Doo and Scream when I was a kid so he is very important for me. Idk people tend to think that it's wrong for William Afton/Springtrap to be your favourite character bc he's the bad guy, but I always love the villains in sagas, books, games, etc lol

[@TheAustinKendall]

Definitely not morally wrong for him to be your favorite character in a fictional setting. Just like there's nothing morally wrong with peoples favorite character being the Joker in The Dark Knight.

[@JenniferPoole.33272]

@@TheAustinKendall Yeah. And other villains and media.

[@idkimnotgoodatthis]

@@TheAustinKendall Thanks, makes me feel a bit better about that lol

[@shaniceball9052]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU MATTEW LILLARD!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN THE NEXT FNAF MOVIE!!! 🤩💜

[@rpcampbell]

How can you not love him

[@loganentertainment1814]

Mathew Lillard seems like a cool guy. He did a good job playing as William Afton. My only complaint is that we didn’t see him enough of him, but regardless, he did a good job.

[@Kjwippy]

Matthew Lillard is such a great guy. You can tell just how much care he has for his fans and the fans of the franchises he becomes part of. I really hope he gets more screen time in upcoming FNAF installments, he plays his part so well.

[@xXpupperzXxx]

The fnaf movie was the best movie theatre experience I’ve ever had. I’ve been a fan since the first game came out and I was not disappointed, the movie was awesome!

[@flarestriker2005]

Same! I can also include Puss In Boots The Last Wish, Dungeons & Dragons, Super Mario Bros, GOTG 3, Across The Spiderverse, Transformers, Gran Turismo, Equalizer 3, Saw X, and Godzilla Minus One to that same list to. Cannot wait for FNAF 2, gonna be badass to see Mangle on the big screen.

[@LiTtLe_MiSfIt]

So glad the actor and writer strike is over so we can finally have interviews!

[@drewhh6821]

Matthew Lillard is that actor that has been so underrated, and so versatile in all his different roles. Being in my late 30's, I got to watch him in all his roles since Scream, and it's been great seeing him still in the game and keeping his success.

[@imperfectjosie]

Probably the most underrated actor of our time.

[@KingLAO2964]

Man, he gave a great performance

[@peixinea]

I absolutely LOVED his performance in the movie

[@roshu7625]

10/10 franchise 10/10 movie 10/10 actors 10/10 creator of franchise

[@TeamTheme]

Movie script was kinda wack, but the actors and atmosphere carried it

[@iwillgohomenow]

He truly cares and his excited for the future of his role, william afton is truly in the best hands.

[@ninjamasterbuilder8675]

Good job Mathew Lillard, you did wonderfully

[@VERESDavid]

I loved the Five nights at Freddy's movie it had great visuals and Story and Matthew Lillard was great as Steve Raglan i can't wait for the next 2 movies

[@Sagadali523]

Matthew Lillard is the true William Afton that he always come back in the next movie. Perfect acting!

[@SkepticalChris]

Lillard is one of those talented actors, who can go from hysterically funny, to spine chillingly terrifying in the blink of an eye

[@oceanographergirl]

what a fun interview! lillard was my favorite part of the movie too

[@imapicklemorty5107]

" I always come back"

[@user-gf3np2ut9n]

I loved Matthew in the movie… but i sometimes find myself thinking about a scenario where they had Matthew portray British William from the games

[@personperson4708]

We want more Matt!!

[@izaahcruz5759]

I would like to say that he nails it as Afton part as he likes friendly, which is great as if you see him you wouldn't think he was a killer. 😊

[@KingLAO2964]

Man, am I glad to have him a part of this franchise now

[@hencoop8023]

The fact only 3 people commented is crazy

[@lukelaps9298]

Amazing

[@valeriapalacios2457]

He's the best actor for fnaf movie, and also loves the fan base

[@david.K.K]

KZbin went VIOLENT on this video

[@Etendard1708]

The best summary/overview of Matthew Lillard can be watched in JoBlo.. lovable indeed.

[@Rembli_Is_Real]

“Five Night at Freddy” 💀

[@crishyGriffin]

Thank god someone else caught this lmao

[@cian6835]

They have to include prequel scenes in the second movie showing wills backstory and shoot more scenes outside of the spring suit

[@kurayamiangelofdeath6255]

I enjoy seeing Matthew as William hope in the next Fnaf movie he'll get more screentime

[@WallNutBreaker524]

*Are You Challlenging Me?*

[@Roxy_153]

I love how they posted this after obsessively posting about how much they hate this movie and Lillard's character specifically

[@Cordray.]

Wait what?? That’s messed up!

[@ursapolargalactica]

the movie was amazing 💜💜💜

[@FranciscoNavesi]

"I alwais come back" Me: ¡¡AAAAHHHH!! ¡YES! ¡YES!

[@Lunar_cosplays]

How is there literaly no comments? 😳

[@rocky_Sullivan_69]

Imagine! Matthew lillard will try purple suit and tie in another fnaf sequel flashback?

[@Oldmangamess]

And y’all were asking for Willem Dafoe to play the character 💀

[@SCP-469]

Even Lillard wanted to see Afton in his prime Let’s hope boys 🙏🏿

[@darwindumanacal2945]

Matthew Lillard as William Afton.

[@LoganFlores]

Matthew Lillard was amazing as William Afton I wish you got more screen time but maybe the sequel hopefully he'll have a bigger role I absolutely love five nights at Freddy's the movie as it stayed true to it's source material this is not only my favorite horror film but my favorite video game movie and i think it's blumhouse best film!

[@vff727]

Wow

[@amandagoldsbury8122]

So, hopefully we get a dedicated actor, Like Michael Gross with Tremors!!

[@WGY_Games]

KZbin, what are you doing!? Get this video more views!

[@MaybeMangosOfficial]

Matt 🐐

[@DillonMeyer]

Personally, I think it would be hilarious if they somehow managed to link the lore of Five Nights at Freddy's to Scream, and make it canon that William is actually just Stu Macher from the movies but older and using a false name.

[@dallaspark9100]

Someone once listed many amazing actors, both dead and still alive who are legends, such as the great Christopher lee, and the person asked "if you could choose anyone of these people to play William instead of Matthew lillard, which one would you pick", I told him...none of them, because I had a specific idea after playing the games and reading the novel trilogy on how William afton would act, and Matthew lillard is the ONLY person who fits my idea of william. Thank you Matthew lillard, for making William afton, one of my favorite villains ever, come to life on the big screen.

[@Pleaselaugh405]

Zoinks!

[@dawitlaboy]

Wait WHAT William afton share the same actor for shaggy from scooby doo❤😊

[@Last-Scar-5675]

This movie was fantastic! it’s definitely a near masterpiece! FNaF 2 needs more Afton tho!

[@flarestriker2005]

Most likely through flashbacks(Kinda like how Eternals had flashbacks throughout the movie) to give us a more in-depth look at Afton with some worldbuilding and of course a post credit scene of Springtrap that sets up FNAF 3.

[@salvatoreferrara3701]

I'm really happy that he is William afton, he is perfect

[@lonelyguy5799]

HE IS SO PERFECT FOR THE ROLE! Now make him purple haha

[@raven782069]

There better a second movie for fanf and a third and so on and so on. I would love to see the whole franchise on film.

[@Last-Scar-5675]

Matthew is signed on for a 3 picture deal and FNaF did great in theatres so it’s very likely that we will see a sequel in 2024 or 2025

[@Last-Scar-5675]

It’s reportedly in preproduction rn and is said to begin production on it early next year leading to a 2025 release date

[@flarestriker2005]

@@Last-Scar-5675 October 31 2025 seems like a good idea because its literally on Halloween :)

[@revelare_xvii6269]

I feel like Matthew’s version of Afton is far more psychotic than Scott’s version. Game Afton was motivated by grief over his kids’ deaths, meanwhile movie Afton literally stabbed his own daughter.

[@ursapolargalactica]

in the game he didnt care about his kids too

[@ISkinFlamingos]

​@@ursapolargalacticaWhy do you think he was so desperate to kill michael?

[@ursapolargalactica]

@@ISkinFlamingos i dont think he would kill michael But he could if it was necessary Like when the movie one killed vanessa without remorse

[@ISkinFlamingos]

@@ursapolargalactica He literally does kill michael unless he is stopped.

[@ISkinFlamingos]

@@ursapolargalactica He's actually actively trying to get to michael to go kill him. Thats the whole point of the game? You stop him so he doesnt kill you.

[@ballisticbiscuit5706]

That title is pretty ironic considering staying true to the games and returning to horror is not what the movie did at all. Not that it's Matthew's fault, but it was pretty similar to the rest of the franchise present-day which is insanely toned down, goofy, and not trying to be horror. The atmosphere and portrayal in the original games is worlds apart from how the movie did it.

[@Cherryfalll]

Zoinks

[@daviddr115111]

His best movie and roll will always be, SLC punk. Stevo!

[@theisland2722]

Imagine if Disney lucasfilm had the same mentality

[@HG-1318]

Shaggy completing the games at 0.000001% power.

[@rxoopsie2600]

Perfect choice for Willy A

[@VERESDavid]

Also the movie had a great ending

[@hidemhd1962]

And by first 3 games, and how the movie is a total Miz, I would call it the first 3 group of 3 games 🗿

[@s.m.4995]

I would like to see something like the William Afton from The Fourth Closet. Just please don't have him try and merge with them this time.

[@cngotham4111]

There was a few flaws in the movie but matthew was perfect.

[@lonelyguy5799]

William afton acting as matthew lillard in this interview 🤔😑

[@marcusbullock2753]

Now we need the whole scooby doo cast in fnaf.

[@B0xF0xplays]

There is no WAY IN HEll that the fnaf movie lore is accurate! >:(

[@joell4393]

diiferent timeline obviously

[@B0xF0xplays]

Indeed,@@joell4393 .

[@ursapolargalactica]

Its other universe

[@flarestriker2005]

Different universe. Think of it as Marvel and DC's multiverse. Same characters, different story.

[@B0xF0xplays]

Yeah I know now, but the way he worded it was weird, that's all @@flarestriker2005.

[@novustalks7525]

They didn't stay true to the game though. That's the big problem with it. The story is entirely different

[@SeasonalGFilms]

They did say the film was going to be different from the games a little bit, so it makes sense.

[@novustalks7525]

@@SeasonalGFilms they said it was going to follow the first game

[@joell4393]

Ye adapt not to be 100% same

[@novustalks7525]

@@joell4393 Should have done it right or not at all