Wayans World: Brothers Redefine Movie Spoof

Keenen, Shawn, And Marlon Talk About Newest Venture 'Scary Movie'

They might not be The Barrymores, who carved out a niche as America's preeminent acting family (the legacy continues with Drew Barrymore, who was in the original "Scream" movie). But The Wayans are a family so full of talent that it's almost scary.

Speaking of scary, this week, "Scary Movie" opens in theaters nationwide. The horror-movie spoof was written by Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Buddy Johnson, and Phil Beauman. Big brother Keenen Ivory Wayans directed the film.

Last week, I sat down with these very talented brothers to find out why "Scary Movie" just may be funniest hit of the summer. Find out why this film isn't for the squeamish and why their own parents got up and walked out.

There's Something About Scary
"Last year there was 'Something About Mary,' and they (The Farrelly brothers) took it as far as anyone thought you can take it. So, that's where the starting point is," director Keenen Ivory Wayans says about making the horror-film parody "Scary Movie."

We meet at the posh Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. All three brothers are relaxed, but excited about the opening of what is sure to be a big summer blockbuster.

Keenen tells me that Hollywood and the country is ready for this kind of movie because there have been so many horror movies lately.

"The real trick is to find a genre. You just can't pick a movie," he says. "This genre has been played to death."

Keenen says Jim Abraham and David Zucker had the same take when they spoofed disaster movies with 1980's "Airplane!"

But who came up with the idea for "Scary Movie?"

"The idea was Shawn and Marlon's." Keenen says, then pauses. "Actually what they do all day is call me," their older brother adds laughing.

"They sit in the house and call me like four times a day and say, 'Is there something in this?' And I say no, that's ridiculous. And then they called me and said, 'Is there something in the idea of doing a parody of all these teen-horror movies?'"

Keenen thought they might be on to something.

What they were on to was a parody of such teen-scream flicks as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Scream," as well as poking good fun at "The Sixth Sense," "The Blair Witch Project" and "The Matrix."

But it's much more than just a parody, Keenen assures me.

"The classic horror parody only happens in the first scene and after that it becomes a character comedy with horror as the backdrop," he says.

But aren't movies like "Scream" already parodies of sorts on classic horror films?

Not by the Wayans definition. The Wayans tell me that those films were satires.

Shawn says that a parody is when "you take a satire and you pump it full of steroids."

Pop and Circumstance
"Scary Movie" goes beyond even the parody, by incorporating relevant social commentary, The Wayans say. They even tackle the sometimes sticky topic of racism.

"Look man, we lived more than five minutes. A black person in a horror movie lasting more than five minutes (doesn't happen)," Marlon says laughing.

Shawn chimes in, "Yeah, we made history."

Then the brothers get serious.

"This movie is different because it's not a black film. It's just a movie. Hopefully, this will help black filmmakers in doing movies that can gross big money and attract a broad audience, because that's what we're trying to do," Marlon says.

And do they think that Hollywood is moving in that direction?

"I think that's a good sign. Just erasing the whole color barrier. And especially when it comes to entertainment," Shawn says. "We're all people and as people we share the same emotions and experiences."

"I think that the more we get away from looking at things sort of one dimensionally (race-wise), the better and more creative the work is going to be. The added voices enrich, they never take away," Keenen says.

"Comedy is colorless," Marlon ads.

Oh, Brother!
Marlon says it took nearly 10 drafts to reach the final version of "Scary Movie."

"Then we had to incorporate us in the movie in a funny way," Shawn ads.

The brothers have developed unforgettable characters. Marlon's character is the king of all potheads and Shawn plays a high school all-star jock with ambiguous sexuality.

Sparked your interest, didn't it? You better go see the movie to see what I mean. The movie co-stars Cheri Oteri, Carmen Electra, Lochlyn Munro, Shannon Elizabeth, Regina Hall, and newcomer Anna Faris.

Marlon and Shawn say that they're best friends, which makes it easier for the brothers to work together.

As for big brother directing, Shawn says, "Keenen is great. I think he's genius. He's taught us everything we know about comedy. He's been the director of our life."

But Keenen assures me, although they share a comedic talent, the brothers have very different personalities.

"I think that between me, (other brother) Damon, Marlon, and Shawn, it's actually two sets. Shawn and me are very much alike. We're more the observers and quiet and more the creative guys. Marlon and Damon are far more the performers."

Is there a new generation of Wayans coming through the show biz ranks?

"There's my nephews Craig and Damian right now," Keenen says. "Damien's actually been working a lot as an actor and Craig as a writer. So that's the beginning of the next generation."

Top-Grossing Film
"Scary Movie" is not for the faint of heart. Who knew someone could actually go beyond the gross-out humor of "Something About Mary?" I didn't even think it was possible.

Let me assure you: It is.

Even the Wayans parents thought parts of it were too much.

After one particular outrageous scene involving a very masculine female gym teacher, they headed for the door.

"That's the scene my parents got up and walked out of," Marlon says beaming.

But this movie is sure to attract a huge audience.

"Anybody between the ages of 14 and 24 are going to die for this movie. Guys over 25 will still love this movie," Keenen predicts. "Women over 25 will start to look at it kind of like The Three Stooges Like, 'What are you guys doing?'"

But Keenan says the movie is all in good fun, and maybe will even provide some relief from what he terms the "end of days syndrome."

"When we see on the news every night that somebody walked into their job and shot up 10 people. That's the end of days syndrome," Keenen says. "I think if you're going to push the limits, at least it should make you laugh."

"It's all about fun. Everything we do is really all about fun," Keenen tells me.

The Big Scoop