Marlon Wayans is back for the sixth installment of “Scary Movie,” the parody comedy franchise that he and his brothers, Keenen and Shawn, created. While the trio spearheaded the first two films, they had absolutely no involvement in the last three movies. They had a dispute with distributor Dimension Films, an affiliate of Miramax, the studio then headed by Harvey and Bob Weinstein.
Decades after last working on the franchise, Marlon is speaking out about why their project was “stripped” from them and how they managed to get it back.
Ahead of the premiere of “Scary Movie 6,” Marlon Wayans is opening up about getting back the movie franchise that he created with his brothers, Keenen and Shawn.
Keenen directed the first two films, with his brothers co-writing and starring in them. The comedy movies that parodied horror films were massive blockbuster successes, earning hundreds of millions. The Wayans brothers already had an idea for the third movie. Before working on it, however, they asked the Weinsteins for a raise. They were offered a value lower than what they thought they deserved, and they refused.
The way the Wayanses found out a third movie was proceeding without them still irks Marlon. “We got an announcement on New Year’s Eve that they were doing ‘Scary Movie 3.’ The franchise was stripped from us. And we were just asking for our fair share,” he told Variety.
The Wayans Brothers Had No Involvement In Three ‘Scary Movies’
Apart from taking their creation away, Marlon claims the Weinsteins shortchanged them on royalties from the first two movies.
Marlon previously discussed it on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, claiming they pitched their idea for “Scary Movie 3.” When they refused the lowball offer, however, the Weinsteins allegedly took their ideas to create the movie without them.
“Scary Movie 3,” “Scary Movie 4,” and Scary Movie 5,” released in 2003, 2006, and 2013, respectively, proceeded with no involvement whatsoever from the Wayans brothers. Instead, other directors and writers were tapped to take on the projects.
The Wayans brothers collaborated on other films, including “White Chicks,” “Little Man,” “Dance Flick,” and “A Haunted House.”
Marlon Wayans Was Approached To Do ‘Scary Movie’ Again
Harvey and Bob Weinstein left Miramax in 2005 and formed The Weinstein Company that same year. In 2024, Jonathan Glickman was appointed CEO of Miramax, and one of his first calls in his new position was to Marlon, asking him if he and his brothers would be interested in reclaiming the “Scary Movie” franchise.
As Glickman explained to Variety, he noticed that the Wayanses weren’t offered the same deal as directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, despite their films achieving the same level of success. “We ultimately gave them that same type of deal that they should have gotten when ‘Scary Movie’ came out in 2000,” Glickman said, adding that the Wayanses were given control over the upcoming movie.
Marlon Wayans Is Fulfilling A Promise To His Father
One of the other reasons why the Wayans brothers agreed to do another “Scary Movie” was to fulfill their father’s wish. Howell Wayans died in 2023 at 86 years old, and before he passed, he told Marlon that he wanted his sons to work together again, saying that they “make magic” together.
Admittedly, Marlon said it was a difficult ask, especially since they were at different stages of their lives and were focused on other things. However, he shook his father’s hand and promised to do it. “Scary Movie 6” was the perfect opportunity to make his father’s wish come true. “I promised that I would make this happen. And I did. And I feel complete,” Marlon said.
‘Scary Movie 6’ Reunites Original Cast
The sixth installment in the “Scary Movie” franchise includes returning cast members, including Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Dave Sheridan, Jon Abrahams, and Anthony Anderson. The Wayans brothers and Rick Alvarez co-wrote the script, while Marlon’s longtime collaborator, Michael Tiddes, directed.
“We’re not here to save the world. We’re here to remind people what it’s like to laugh and feel good,” Damon said about the upcoming film.
“Scary Movie” will premiere in U.S. theaters on June 5.
