Wayans Brothers Announce Return to ‘Scary Movie’ Franchise After 20 Years

The Wayans brothers are back! Marlon Wayans has officially confirmed that the creators of Scary Movie are returning to the horror-comedy franchise after nearly two decades. Marlon announced the exciting news on his social media platforms, promising fans a revival of the much-loved spoof series that originally launched in 2000.

“Last week, I said I had a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT to make… well, here it is: WE’RE BACK!!!” Marlon wrote, sending excitement through the fanbase. The Wayans family, which helped build the franchise’s success with their hilarious takes on classic horror films, will once again take the reins of the Scary Movie series.

The Wayans Brothers Are Back at the Helm

The original Scary Movie films, directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and written by Marlon and Shawn Wayans, were groundbreaking hits. They combined horror tropes with slapstick humor, parodying popular films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Both Marlon and Shawn played key roles on screen, with Marlon as the lovable stoner Shorty Meeks and Shawn as Ray Wilkins.

Although the franchise continued under the direction of comedy veteran David Zucker (Airplane, The Naked Gun), the Wayans family exited after the second installment. Now, Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Ivory Wayans will be back to revive the series, taking full creative control to deliver what they describe as a fresh, fun-filled experience for fans.

“We are ready to bring the laughs back to the big screen,” Marlon added. “This one is for all the fans who’ve been asking for it for years.”

Production and Release Plans

Deadline reported that Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen will team up with longtime collaborator Rick Alvarez to write and produce the new Scary Movie. Alvarez, who previously worked with Marlon on A Haunted House and Fifty Shades of Black, will join the Wayans team in crafting the new installment.

The movie is scheduled to begin shooting next year and will receive a full theatrical release. However, the official director for the project is yet to be announced.

A Look Back: The Success of the Franchise

The original Scary Movie was released in 2000 and became a massive success, grossing $278 million on a modest $19 million budget. Known for its outrageous humor and wild parodies of popular horror movies, it became a cultural phenomenon. The sequel, Scary Movie 2, followed in 2001, this time poking fun at haunted house classics like The Haunting and The Exorcist.

Despite the Wayans brothers leaving the series after the second movie, the franchise carried on with three more films. David Zucker took over with Scary Movie 3 and Scary Movie 4 in the mid-2000s, and Scary Movie 5 was released in 2013 under director Malcolm D. Lee. While these sequels had their moments, many fans felt that the magic of the original Wayans-led films was missing.

Spoofing Modern Horror Hits: New Targets for Parody

The horror genre has evolved significantly since the release of Scary Movie 5 in 2013, giving the Wayans brothers a treasure trove of new material to spoof. From supernatural thrillers to modern-day psychological horror, the new Scary Movie could parody some of the biggest hits in recent years.

Here’s a look at a few potential targets for the new film:

• The Conjuring series
• It (2017 and 2019)
• Get Out and Nope
• M3GAN
• A Quiet Place
• Smile
• Hereditary and Midsommar

In addition, legacy sequels like Halloween (2018), Scream (2022), and The Exorcist: Believer also offer plenty of content to poke fun at. Given the Wayans’ signature comedic style, audiences can expect clever twists on these modern hits, blending scares with laugh-out-loud moments.

Will Original Cast Members Return?

Fans are also curious about whether any familiar faces will appear in the new installment. While the original films featured standout performances from Anna Faris and Regina Hall, it remains unclear if they’ll return. The fifth movie included cameos from Charlie Sheen and Simon Rex, but with the Wayans brothers back in control, it’s possible they might try to bring back some original cast members.

Given the chemistry and comedic timing that the Wayans brothers brought to the first two films, fans are hoping that Marlon and Shawn will reprise their roles as Shorty and Ray. Their hilarious on-screen antics are a big part of what made the early Scary Movie films so memorable.

Reviving the Franchise: A Big Task Ahead

Reviving a beloved franchise is no small task, especially with the horror-comedy genre being highly competitive. However, Marlon Wayans seems confident that the new Scary Movie will capture the spirit of the originals while bringing a fresh twist.

Marlon’s social media post emphasized that the film will stay true to the essence of the franchise: blending popular culture references, outrageous humor, and horror elements in a way that only the Wayans brothers can pull off.

Fans have already taken to social media to express their excitement, with many sharing their favorite moments from the first two films and speculating on what new scenes the brothers might create.

With production set to begin next year, excitement is already building for the return of Scary Movie. After 20 years, the Wayans brothers are back to inject new energy into the franchise, promising audiences a hilarious experience filled with fresh parodies of today’s biggest horror hits.