Marlon Wayans is set to make a triumphant return to the Scary Movie franchise after a long absence of 25 years. The actor expressed his excitement about reprising his iconic character, Shorty, in the upcoming film, which is scheduled for release on June 5. This new entry marks the first involvement of the Wayans family in the series since they were pushed out following the success of the second film, Scary Movie 2, released in 2001.
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In a recent interview with Variety, Wayans revealed that he and his brothers were effectively excluded from the franchise by producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein. Following the massive success of the initial films, the Wayans brothers sought to increase their earnings for a third instalment. However, after receiving a disappointing counteroffer from the Weinsteins, the brothers were allegedly cut out of the franchise entirely and their ideas for the third film were used without their consent.
Wayans explained, “They absolutely did us wrong. Absolutely. We could’ve sued, and we probably would’ve won.” The financial success of the first two films significantly surpassed expectations, with the first entry, made on a budget of £15 million, grossing £218 million globally. The sequel also performed well, earning £113 million from its £32 million budget. Yet, despite the lucrative gains, the Wayans brothers reportedly did not receive adequate royalties for their contributions to the franchise.
The Scary Movie franchise was a product of the Wayans family’s creative collaboration, with Marlon and Shawn Wayans starring in and co-writing the films, while their brother Keenen directed. The films gained immense popularity by cleverly parodying contemporary horror movies, establishing a significant following among comedy fans. Following the unjust removal from the series, Marlon stated that the news of the third film’s production arrived unexpectedly on New Year’s Eve. “We didn’t even know. We got an announcement that they were doing Scary Movie 3. The franchise was stripped from us. And we were just asking for our fair share,” he recalled.
Despite the complex emotions surrounding their departure from the franchise, Wayans has chosen to approach the situation without animosity. “What they did is between them and God,” he said, adding that he refuses to harbour resentment if he wants to move forward positively in his career and life. “I don’t applaud that type of behaviour, but I can’t hold hate and hurt in my heart if I want to evolve,” he expressed.
The forthcoming revival of Scary Movie is particularly meaningful for Wayans, as it represents the fulfilment of a promise he made to his late father, Howell. According to Marlon, one of Howell’s last wishes was for him and his brothers to reunite and work together once again. When the opportunity arose to get involved with the new film, he felt compelled to bring his brothers Shawn and Keenen back into the fold. “When Jon [current Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman] hit me up to do ‘Scary Movie,’ I was like, ‘I can’t do this without my brothers,’ so I got Shawn and Keenen on board,” he explained.
Wayans views the reboot as a fresh start, somewhat separate from the previous films, emphasising that it embraces the original spirit and creativity the family brought to the franchise. “This is a return back to the franchise we all created, so forget all the bad years! This isn’t ‘Scary Movie 6’; this is a reboot,” he asserted.
With anticipation building for its release, Scary Movie is set to hit theatres across the nation on June 5. The Wayans brothers’ return not only brings the franchise back to its roots but also offers a chance for reconciliation and collaboration among the family members. As Marlon prepares to once again step into the shoes of Shorty, both fans and the Wayans family are looking forward to this new chapter in the beloved series.