Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Anna Faris slashed their way into CinemaCon for the new Scary Movie.
Paramount Pictures has set a theatrical release date of June 5 for the film that hails from Miramax and marks the sixth installment of the revived property.
“Paramount told us to do what we do best: offend people,” Marlon Wayans told the crowd from the stage. Shawn Wayans chimed in that they have been appreciative for the theatrical support for the franchise, “even after it was taken from it,” referring to the two stars moving away from the series after Scary Movie 2. This led Faris to quip, “Whitey’s something else.”
Marlon Wayans noted, “We are equally opportunity offenders. we mean, nobody is safe.” He then unfurled a long scroll of paper holding an apparent list of those who are likely to be unhappy with the film’s jokes: “White people; Black people; off-white people; Mexicans; Mexican’ts; Asians; the entire state of Vermont, which is more white people; Diddy; Diddy’s cleaning lady.”
A new trailer included references to countless recent films, including Sinners, Get Out, Weapons, Smile and The Substance.
In one scene, a medical professional runs into a hospital room to help Faris and says, “This white girl can’t die on my shift. I’m a DEI hire.” Later, co-star Regina Hall jokes about the John Wick spinoff film Ballerina and the fact that no one saw it.
Michael Tiddes helmed Scary Movie from a script by Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Rick Alvarez, who all serve as producers. The cast includes Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, Hall, Damon Wayans Jr., Gregg Wayans, Kim Wayans, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott and Heidi Gardner.
Known for satirizing horror flicks, the Scary Movie films launched with the first title hitting theaters in 2000 before spawning four sequels. Starring Faris as Cindy and Hall as Brenda, the first Scary Movie opened in July 2000 and set records for the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated horror film and a Black director. Marlon and Shawn Wayans starred in the first two movies, while Keenen Ivory Wayans wrote and helmed the projects.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Miramax CEO Jon Glickman noted that the time was right for a big-screen comedy that could unite audiences.
“Like everybody in the industry, I certainly feel like there’s a boiling pressure to finally get one out there that works huge, and I think this one’s going to do it,” the executive said of the market for comedies. He added about the film coming out amid political tensions: “People want to be able to laugh together at the same stuff. It’s very meaningful at this moment to have this opportunity.”
