The Wayans siblings are reuniting for the first time in years, aiming to breathe new life into their iconic "Scary Movie" franchise. Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Keenen Ivory Wayans are making a triumphant return to the film series to craft the script for the latest installment, which was announced earlier this year at CinemaCon with much anticipation. Renowned for their humorous takedowns of horror classics, the "Scary Movie" franchise debuted in 2000 with its first film and subsequently spawned four successful sequels.
Keenen Ivory Wayans served as the writer and director for the original "Scary Movie" and its 2001 sequel, while Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans took on the dual roles of writers and stars in those initial two comedic hits. Paramount Pictures will oversee the global distribution of the forthcoming film through their exclusive partnership with producer Miramax, which previously handled the distribution of the first three entries in the series.
The trio of Wayans brothers will collaborate with Rick Alvarez to write and produce the new movie. Filming for the sixth film in the franchise is set to commence next year, with plans for a theatrical release in the near future. However, a director and release date have yet to be announced, and the plot remains under wraps.
"We are overjoyed to reunite the Wayans brothers with the beloved 'Scary Movie' franchise, the genius minds behind its creation," Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman stated in a press release. "The timing is impeccable to bring back this series to the big screen, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Keenen, Marlon, and Shawn's distinctive comedic vision delivering it to audiences worldwide."
On Tuesday, Marlon Wayans shared a photo of himself on Instagram donning the iconic Ghostface-style villain mask, which originally served as the franchise's antagonist in a parody of "Scream." Alongside the photo, Wayans captioned, "After nearly two decades, the Wayans brothers are finally granting fans' wishes... a triumphant return to the 'Scary Movie' franchise!"
The three brothers added a statement filled with enthusiasm, "We are thrilled beyond measure to be a part of the latest installment of 'Scary Movie' and to have the opportunity to collaborate once again. This franchise, which we created over two decades ago, holds a special place in our hearts. We fondly recall the roar of laughter echoing through theater aisles and eagerly anticipate recapturing that magic. We eagerly anticipate working alongside Jonathan Glickman and his talented team at the revitalized Miramax to bring these hilarious moments back to where they truly belong – the movie theaters. This is not just a new project, but a joyous reunion on double fold."
Starring Anna Faris and Regina Hall, the inaugural 'Scary Movie' premiered in July 2000, amassing a staggering $42 million at the domestic box office. It set unprecedented benchmarks, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated horror film and marking a milestone for a Black director during its opening weekend. Following their triumph with 'Scary Movie', the Wayans trio collaborated on 'White Chicks' (2004) and 'Little Man' (2006) before venturing into individual projects.
Marlon Wayans will soon be seen stealing the spotlight in director Justin Tipping's psychological sports thriller 'Him', slated for a September 2025 release. Shawn Wayans is represented by Yorn Levine, while Marlon Wayans is ably managed by 3 Arts Entertainment, UTA, and also Yorn Levine.
