Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett Collection
Freddie Prinze Jr. isn’t keen on returning to the Scooby-Doo franchise.
In a recent interview with TooFab, the 47-year-old actor was quick to turn down the prospect of reuniting with his wife Sarah Michelle Gellar, as well as Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini for a third film with Mystery Incorporated.
“That would not be something I would do,” said Prinze. “I have zero interest. I mean it was difficult. That wouldn’t be for me, man.”
The actor clarified that his thoughts on the matter boil down to the studio rather than the project itself. The first Scooby-Doo (2002) and its 2004 sequel Monsters Unleashed were both produced by Warner Bros.
“There was just so much bait and switch on the first one,” Prinze continued. “The studio hasn’t been honest with me in any way, shape or form… It wasn’t the best. I think I’ve had two jobs that I’ve regretted, and ‘Scooby’ was one of them.”
While Prinze wouldn’t reprise his role as Fred, the actor still appreciates what he and his collaborators have achieved in the duology.
“Until [‘Scooby’] seen and kids would come up to me and be like, ‘Oh my God,’ that’s when I could appreciate the experience through their soul,” Prinze said. “There are literally millions of people who love this film. It’s not the film I wanted to make, but I appreciate it. It made me change my attitude towards it.”
As for the other film Prinze regrets, the actor revealed that he struggled during production of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ due to a contentious working relationship with director Jim Gillespie. Gillespie told Prinze that he wanted another actor for the role. Prinze recalls Gillespie telling the young actor matter-of-factly, “‘I don’t want you in this movie.’”
“If this is your first job and you hear those words, it breaks you, man. It just breaks you,” Prinze shared.
It might have been a difficult production to grab hold of for a then-budding actor, but Prinze credits the film with launching his career. He also developed a relationship with his wife Gellar during filming.
“Without this film, I wouldn’t have any of what I have. I wouldn’t have my wife, I wouldn’t have all the other films I’ve done,” explained Prinze. “I’m here because of this fight and this pain and it was those things.”