Freddie Prinze Jr. isn’t looking forward to 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 playing Mystery Incorporated.
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“It wouldn’t be something I would do,” Prinze said. “I have no interest. I mean, it was tricky. It wouldn’t be for me, man.
The actor clarified that his thoughts on this boiled down to the studio rather than the project itself. The first “Scooby-Doo” (2002) and its 2004 sequel, “Monsters Unleashed”, were both distributed by Warner Bros.
“There was so much bait and light the first one,” Prinze continued. “The studio wasn’t honest with me in any way, shape or form… It wasn’t the best. I think I’ve had two jobs where I regretted doing it, and ‘Scooby’ was one of them.
While Prinze wouldn’t look to reprise his role as Fred, the actor still appreciates what he and his collaborators have accomplished on the duology.
“Until [‘Scooby’] was seen and the kids came up to me and were like, ‘Oh my God, that’s when I got to appreciate the experience through their souls,’ Prinze said. “There are millions of legitimate people who love this movie. It’s not the movie I wanted to make, but I’m enjoying it. It made me change my mind about it.”
As for the other film Prinze regrets, the actor revealed he struggled during production of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer,’ due to a contentious working relationship with director Jim. Gillespie. Gillespie expressed to Prinze that he wanted a different actor for his role. Prinze recalled Gillespie telling the young actor, “I don’t want you in this movie.”
“When it’s your first job and you hear those words, it destroys you, man. It just destroys you,” Prinze shared.
It may have been a tough production that could have left a then booming actor, but Prinze credits the film with launching his career. He also developed a relationship with his wife, Gellar, while making the film.
“I wouldn’t have anything that I have without this movie. I wouldn’t have my wife, I wouldn’t have all the other movies I’ve done,” Prinze explained. “I’m here because of that struggle and because of that pain and it was those things.”
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