FNAF 2 sets up a huge Scream reunion, Matthew Lillard says

With Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 now in theaters, two iconic faces of ‘90s horror are sharing the massive display screen as soon as extra. The movie, primarily based on the favored online game franchise, sees Matthew Lillard reprise his function because the evil William Afton, the serial killer in command of the animatronics within the first movie. He has much less of a presence on this sequel, however a superb buddy is there to choose up the slack: his Scream partner-in-crime Skeet Ulrich.

[Ed note: The rest of this article contains full spoilers for the ending of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.]

Ulrich performs Henry, father to considered one of Afton’s early victims and likewise the killer’s former enterprise associate within the founding of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. That final bit is saved hidden till the top of the film’s credit, setting the stage for fairly a showdown in a 3rd 5 Nights at Freddy’s film, ought to it occur.

Henry has by no means appeared in any of the video games, however Ulrich’s efficiency makes him a vivid spot of the in any other case disappointing film. It is also an thrilling second for horror followers, given Ulrich’s historical past. The actor initially shot to fame as one half of the killer Ghostface duo within the unique Scream, alongside Lillard. And whereas that is the primary time the 2 are working collectively on a film exterior of that slasher franchise, Lillard tells Polygon they’ve remained shut through the years.

“I see him on a regular basis,” Lillard says. “We do conventions a bunch yearly, so after we go away on these weekends, we eat each meal collectively. He is considered one of my greatest buddies on this planet. I see him greater than most of my buddies from highschool.”

Sadly, whereas they’re nonetheless spending their time collectively at cons, they don’t really get to work together on set. Ulrich and Lillard do not share any scenes within the film. Afton really seems solely in dream sequences, although his return is teased on the finish of the movie.

Nevertheless, Lillard is hopeful a 3rd film will likely be ordered by Common Photos, which he believes will dig deep into the story between the 2 characters.

“I believe [fans are] going to be actually enthusiastic about who he performs versus who I play,” Lillard says. “They’ve at all times stated out loud that they wish to do three movies. If this weekend goes the way in which we’re all hoping it goes, they’re going to do a 3rd movie. And I believe that relationship actually performs out in a very highly effective approach within the third movie.

Photos: Dimension Movies/Lantern Leisure

“Lillard can also be assured Ulrich is aware of how particular it’s to be in a undertaking adapted from a beloved video game series.

“The excellent news about Skeet and I is that we each care deeply about fandoms,” he says. “The way in which we work together with the Scream followers the way in which I have been interacting (and now he is interacting) with 5 Nights followers, it is about holding up that neighborhood and type of seeing them, respecting them, and adoring that fandom.”

Some actors may buckle underneath that strain. Lillard, however, appears to thrive in it.

“[Afton’s] this iconic character that individuals adore, that that fanbase has constructed up of their minds during the last 15, 17, 18 years,” he says. “And so to step into these footwear, ship in a approach that individuals, for essentially the most half, had been proud of the efficiency, after which be welcomed and celebrated in that neighborhood, is superior. It is totally different than going off and doing a film and type of letting it go off into the ether. It is a standing piece of legacy that as an actor you are happy with.”

And with the second film in that potential trilogy in theaters now, the wait begins for phrase on a 3rd and last installment. Regardless of the case, Lillard is prepared for the subsequent step in his FNAF journey.

“I do know it sounds type of cliche, however taking part in an iconic character for a fanbase that is as voracious because the FNAF fanbase is a present.”

5 Night time’s at Freddy’s 2 is in theaters now.