Matthew Lillard reflects on Scooby-Doo 2 disappointment: “I thought I'd be top choice for 10 years.”

Matthew Lillard opens up about his career setbacks after 'Scooby-Doo 2' flopped, forcing him to re-evaluate his path.

Actor Matthew Lillard, best known for his role as Shaggy in the live-action ‘Scooby-Doo’ movies, recently shared how his career took an unexpected turn after the disappointing box office performance of ‘Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.’ Despite the first film’s success in 2002, grossing $275 million worldwide, the 2004 sequel failed to meet expectations, leaving Lillard feeling sidelined in Hollywood.

Reflecting on his journey, Lillard told Business Insider, “I thought I’d be No. 1 on the call sheet for the next 10 years.” Instead, the underperformance of ‘Scooby-Doo 2’ pushed him to re-evaluate his career goals. "I was caught up in this drive to be famous," he admitted, ultimately choosing to focus on honing his craft over fame.

Lillard’s career struggled in the years following the sequel's release. He nearly joined ‘Dancing With the Stars’ but hesitated, concerned it would conflict with his ambition to be a respected actor. He explained, “If I do ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ I’ll never win an Academy Award,” underscoring his desire to be taken seriously in the industry.

Gradually, Lillard found success through smaller, more meaningful roles, including parts in ‘The Descendants’ and ‘Trouble With the Curve,’ while still voicing Shaggy in animated versions of the franchise. This mindset shift allowed him to thrive in unexpected ways, transforming what initially seemed like a setback into a chance for a more purposeful acting career.