The Wayans brothers are teaming up for the first time in years to help bring their Scary Movie franchise back to life.
Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans are returning to the series to pen the script for the new project that was announced earlier this year at CinemaCon. Known for satirizing horror flicks, the Scary Movie franchise launched with the first movie hitting theaters in 2000 and spawned four sequels.
Keenen Ivory Wayans wrote and directed the original Scary Movie and its 2001 follow-up, while Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans wrote and starred in those initial two movies. Paramount Pictures will handle global distribution for the forthcoming title through their first-look deal with producer Miramax, which distributed the first three titles.
The three Wayans brothers will write and produce the new one with Rick Alvarez. The sixth title in the franchise begins shooting next year ahead of a planned theatrical release. A director and release date have not been announced, nor has the premise.
“We are thrilled to reunite Scary Movie with the Wayans brothers, the brilliant creators behind the beloved franchise,” Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman said in a statement. “The timing is perfect to bring back the series to the big screen and we’re lucky to have Keenen, Marlon and Shawn’s unique comedic vision bringing it to audiences around the world.”
Marlon Wayans took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo of himself with the familiar Ghostface-style villain, which was the franchise’s original antagonist in a parody of Scream. Wayans included the caption, “After nearly 20 years, the Wayans brothers are finally going to give the fans what they’ve been asking for… a return to the Scary Movie franchise!”
The three brothers added in a statement, “We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the new Scary Movie and work with each other again. This is a franchise we created more than 20 years ago. We remember people laughing in the aisles and hope to see that happen again. We look forward to working with Jonathan Glickman and his team at the new Miramax to bring these laughs to theaters, where they belong. It’s a double reunion.”
Starring Anna Faris and Regina Hall, the first Scary Movie opened in July 2000 with $42 million at the domestic box office, setting records at the time for the biggest opening weekend for an R-rated horror film and a Black director. Following their success with Scary Movie, the three Wayans brothers worked together on White Chicks (2004) and Little Man (2006) before moving on to solo projects.
Marlon Wayans can soon be seen starring in director Justin Tipping’s psychological sports thriller Him, set for release in September 2025.
Shawn Wayans is repped by Yorn Levine. Marlon Wayans is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment, UTA and Yorn Levine.
Deadline first reported on the Wayans’ return.
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