‘Scary Movie’ reboot in the works: Wayans brothers reteam to 'give fans what they've been asking for' after nearly 20 years
"We remember people laughing in the aisles, and hope to see that happen again,” Keenen Ivory, Shawn and Marlon Wayans said in a statement.
The Wayans brothers offered fans a welcome, early Halloween treat on Tuesday when they announced that they’ll be teaming up again for the first time in 18 years to reboot the Scary Movie franchise.
“WE’RE BACK!!! 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!” Marlon Wayans posted on X.
WE’RE BACK!!! 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! We’re looking forward to having fun on the big screen again. pic.twitter.com/iWGrh4IWrh
— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) October 29, 2024
Parodying horror films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, Keenen Ivory Wayans wrote and directed the 2000 original Scary Movie and its 2001 sequel, with his brothers, Shawn and Marlon, also writing and starring.
Centered on a group of teenagers who are stalked by a “bumbling” serial killer, Scary Movie also starred Anna Faris, Regina Hall and Jon Abrahams (who also stars in this year’s horror hit Terrifier 3). It premiered in July 2000 and opened to more than $42 million in its first weekend.
At the time, Scary Movie had the biggest opening for an R-rated horror film, as well as a film by a Black director. With a reported budget of $19 million, Scary Movie it went on to gross more than $278 million worldwide.
The brothers will be reuniting to write an original script with Rick Alvarez for what will be the sixth installment in the franchise. The trio, who were not on board for Scary Movie 3, 4 and V, are teaming up with Miramax, the studio behind the franchise. Paramount Pictures, which has a first-look deal with Miramax, will distribute the film theatrically worldwide. News of the reboot was first announced at CinemaCon in April, and the film will start shooting in 2025.
“We are thrilled to reunite Scary Movie with the Wayans brothers, the brilliant creators behind the beloved franchise. 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,” Miramax CEO Jonathan Glickman said in a statement obtained by Yahoo Entertainment.
“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,” Keenan, Shawn and Marlon, who last worked together on the 2006 film Little Man, said in their own statement. “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.”
Faris, who also starred in Scary Movie 2, 3 and 4, told People in July that she “would love to reprise” her role as Cindy Campbell in the franchise — but only if Hall were onboard, too.
“I would love to work with Regina again. I just love her so much," Faris told the outlet. "We would make each other giggle all day long. Regina Hall would be my answer. And money. But mostly all Regina!"
In 2022, Hall told Entertainment Tonight that she’d be down for a Scary Movie reunion — as long as it wasn’t a traditional “20-year reunion,” given the film’s unconventional tone.
“It's gotta be like 23-year [reunion.] Like, who would have a 23-year [reunion]?" Hall, who played Cindy’s best friend, Brenda, asked the outlet.
"I was like, 'I would love to see where they are now!'" Hall told ET. "I don't think it's any place amazing, but I think it'd be fun to see!"
There are no details as yet about a director or a release date.
