The women’s careers had skyrocketed after landing the main roles in megahit slasher franchises Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, respectively, and were at the peak of their fame when Scary Movie burst onto the scene in 2000. Starring then-newcomer Anna Faris, Regina Hall and the Wayans brothers (Marlon, Shawn and Keenan), the spoof comedy mocked all the major horror movies of the day – with Faris’ famously ditzy character even called Cindy Campbell, a direct nod to the Scream actress’ real name and her on-screen persona, Sidney Prescott. It was meant as harmless fun – but it’s safe to assume not all Hollywood egos would see it as such. So the unexpected gift Faris’ received right after Scary Movie’s release was all the more surprising. “Jennifer Love Hewitt sent me flowers, which was so kind,” the actress, 49, told news.com.au ahead of the release of the long-awaited new Scary Movie instalment this week. (Worth noting that goodwill potentially didn’t extend to the film’s creators, with Marlon Wayans jokingly weighing in: “She didn’t send me any!”) Like Hewitt, Campbell was also able to laugh it off – although it later sparked a friendly rivalry between herself and Faris. “I ran into her at an audition, and she was so lovely … She wasn’t mad, but she was like, ‘I’m going to get this damn audition!’” the Scary Movie star said. “ … And I didn’t get the role.” Faris added: “I think the key to Scary Movie, or at least one of our strengths is that it’s so ridiculous that you can’t be offended”.
Written and produced by the Wayans brothers and their nephew Craig along with Rick Alvarez, and directed by Michael Tiddes, the new Scary Movie is a major comeback for the billion-dollar franchise, 13 years after its universally-panned fifth instalment. The most significant detail: it’s the Wayans family’s return to the business they created, after they were brutally cut out by then-Hollywood moguls Harvey and Bob Weinstein following Scary Movie 2’s release in 2001. It’s also both Faris and Hall’s first time back since Scary Movie 4, making this new chapter quite a reunion for the original cast and crew. Twenty-six years after escaping a masked Ghostface-esque killer, the original four stars are back and in his sights once again – as are recent popular horror films including Get Out, Sinners, The Substance and countless more.
The Wayans have long been known for pulling absolutely no punches when it comes to their risky comedy – and going by Scary Movie’s official tagline, it’s clear they’re more eager than ever to ruffle feathers. “Nothing is sacred. No trope survives. Every line gets crossed. The Wayans are back to cancel the Cancel Culture,” it reads.
With Scary Movie such a hugely famous and beloved franchise (largely for the nostalgic Wayans-led earlier films), once word began to spread last year that a new edition was in the works with the comedy brothers back at the helm, they were inundated by showbiz peers begging to be the butt of the new jokes. “Everybody,” Marlon responded bluntly when asked who had reached out. “Yes,everybody.” When the Scary Movie teasers were released, one bigtime horror director who discovered his franchise was being spoofed, let Marlon know he was over the moon. “He was giddy, he was like, ‘Yes! I made it!’” he revealed. “Nevermind the billion-dollar box office he got in his franchise. He was just so happy, like a little kid.” After stepping away from the franchise back in 2006 as it increasingly waned without the Wayans’ involvement, Faris knew it was a no-brainer when they got in touch with her about the new movie early last year. “I always thought that if I ever returned to Scary Movie, I’d feel a little bad about it, I’d be a cameo – it wouldn’t be with these guys,” she explained. “And then Marlon called me last February … it’s been such a dream, and people are so excited about it.” Marlon added: “I think the audience and the same joy that we feel”. “They remember where they were in the theatre [when the first Scary Movie came out]. I get that more than any other comedy [I’ve appeared in],” Faris said. “People say, ‘I remember where I was in 2000 with my family in that theatre, just laughing’. “What a gift that is.” Faris went on: “So to get to do it again, and this time, feel like I sort of know what I’m doing …” It may have been her breakout role, but Wayans wasn’t having any self-deprecation from his longtime on-screen lead. “No.
You’ve always known. You’ve always been great.” Scary Movie is in Australian cinemas from this Thursday, June 4.