It finally happened. After years of fan concepts, fake leaks, and endless "Springtrap for DBD" threads on Reddit, the Five Nights at Freddy’s crossover hit Dead by Daylight in mid-2025. But there was one detail that caught everyone off guard. While many expected a silent animatronic or maybe some recycled sound bites, Behaviour Interactive went bigger. They brought in Matthew Lillard.
If you've been living under a rock, Lillard is basically the face of William Afton now. He crushed the role in the 2023 movie. So, seeing him crossover into the "Fog" was a massive win for the community. But honestly, the way they handled the Matthew Lillard Springtrap DBD collaboration is more nuanced than just "he's the voice." There’s a specific split between the game lore and the movie lore that you need to understand to really appreciate the character.
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The Two Faces of William Afton
When you jump into a match as The Animatronic (that’s Springtrap’s official title in the game), you aren’t necessarily hearing Matthew Lillard right away. This is where things get interesting. Behaviour actually respected the different "universes" of FNAF.
The base version of Springtrap—the rotting, green, mechanical nightmare from the games—is voiced by PJ Heywood. He’s the original voice from the FNAF games, and fans were stoked to see him "always come back." He brings that classic, gravelly, British-accented menace that feels like the OG Afton.
Then, there’s the Yellow Rabbit Legendary Outfit. This is the Matthew Lillard version.
When you equip this skin, the vibe shifts completely. It’s modeled after his look in the Blumhouse film. It isn't just a costume swap; it’s a full transformation. We’re talking new animations, his specific likeness from the movie, and a totally different set of voice lines recorded specifically for Dead by Daylight.
Why Matthew Lillard Matters for DBD
Lillard isn't new to horror. He’s Stu Macher from Scream. He’s Shaggy. The guy knows how to play unhinged characters with a weirdly charismatic edge. In the movie, his portrayal of Steve Raglan (Afton's alias) was calm and calculating right up until the suit went on.
In Dead by Daylight, his voice lines for the Yellow Rabbit skin lean into that arrogance. He doesn't just growl; he talks down to the Survivors.
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- He quotes the movie: Lines like "Where are those wretched little beasts?" are direct nods to his cinematic dialogue.
- The Nic Cage connection: Since Nicolas Cage is a playable Survivor in DBD, Lillard actually has unique lines specifically for when he’s chasing or catching Cage. It’s a surreal "meta" moment seeing two Hollywood icons face off in a horror game.
- The "I Always Come Back" line: Both versions of the character use the iconic catchphrase, but Lillard’s delivery has that specific theatrical flair he brought to the big screen.
Breaking Down the Springtrap Gameplay
Whether you’re using the Matthew Lillard skin or the base PJ Heywood version, the mechanics remain the same. And honestly? He’s kind of a beast if you know how to manage his cooldowns.
Springtrap is built around the idea of "The Hunt." He isn't just a basic M1 killer who walks at people. His kit focuses on map pressure and psychological horror.
Help Wanted
This perk is a direct reference to the job Afton "offered" Mike. It compromises generators. When a generator is finished, your basic attack cooldown is shortened for a bit. It’s great for those late-game scenarios where you need to snowball quickly.
Phantom Fear
This one is pure jump-scare fuel. If a Survivor looks at you, they scream and reveal their aura. It makes "looping" Springtrap much more dangerous because you can't just keep your eyes on him without giving away your exact position.
Haywire
This is the endgame punisher. If Survivors try to "99%" the exit gates (leaving them almost open to wait for friends), the progress starts to regress. It forces them to make a choice: leave now or risk the gate closing back up.
The "Catch" with Lillard’s Performance
There was a bit of drama—well, maybe just confusion—before the release. Lillard actually mentioned in an interview with Bloody Disgusting that he initially turned down some voice work for the game because he wanted to save his "true" Springtrap performance for the Five Nights at Freddy's 2 movie (scheduled for December 2025).
He told fans that if they wanted to see him fully "Springtrap-ed," they had to go to the theater.
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However, Scott Cawthon (the creator of FNAF) eventually reached out to him personally. That’s how we ended up with the Yellow Rabbit Legendary Skin. It served as the perfect bridge. We got his voice and his movie-style suit in the game without it "spoiling" whatever evolution happens to his character in the movie sequel.
How to Get the Most Out of the FNAF Chapter
If you’re coming to DBD specifically for the Matthew Lillard Springtrap DBD experience, you’ve gotta go all in on the Legendary Outfit. It’s currently 1,450 Auric Cells in the in-game store.
Is it worth it? If you're a fan of the movie, yes. The lobby animations alone are worth the price of admission. Seeing Lillard’s version of Afton adjust his tie or fiddle with his knife while waiting for a match adds a level of personality that the silent killers just don't have.
Practical Steps for New Players:
- Learn the Map: Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria is a maze. Use the "Z-shaped" loops in the dining area to your advantage.
- Voice Line Triggers: Pay attention to when Lillard speaks. He has lines for grabbing survivors from lockers, getting stunned by pallets (which he hates, obviously), and even for the "Mori" (his finishing move).
- The Glitchtrap Alternative: If you want something even creepier, there is a Glitchtrap skin, but that one uses different voice effects contributed by Sébastien Croteau. It’s a very different vibe from the Lillard version.
Ultimately, the inclusion of Matthew Lillard solidified this as one of the best-produced chapters in DBD history. It wasn't just a cash grab; it was a love letter to both the game's history and its new cinematic era.
If you haven't played since the update, jump in and try out the Yellow Rabbit. Just watch out for the pallets—Afton’s ego doesn't handle being stunned very well.