Keenen Ivory Wayans wanted Anna Faris not to do Scary Movie 3 after he and his brothers walked away from the horror-spoof series.
A year after the film’s 2001 sequel, the director, 68, called the Cindy Campbell star and said Harvey, 74, and Bob Weinstein, 71, allegedly made Scary Movie 3 through Miramax – which owns the flick – without telling him or co-writers Shawn, 55, and Marlon Wayans, 53, after pay rise talks failed.
Faris, 49, recalled Variety that Keenen “asked me to not do it”, which left her stuck between loyalty and following a “three-picture” contract.
She added: “It was such a devastating moment in the sense that I admired Keenen so much, and he was asking me to do something, but I was under contract.”
Keenen noted that “all they can do is sue you” if the entertainer walked away from the franchise.
But, ultimately, quitting was not an option for Faris as she had to pay rent on her “one-bedroom apartment by the farmer’s market”.
The comedienne admitted she got very little pay for the 2000, 2001, and 2003 movies.
Faris said: “When I got the role for Scary Movie, I got a three-picture deal. My new manager celebrated it, but I didn’t know what it meant.
“What it means is that they can lock you into a movie franchise and not pay you much. I got paid 65,000 Canadian dollars for the first movie, which quickly dissipated after taxes and manager’s fees. And then I wasn’t paid much for the second one or the third one.
“So, my feelings about the franchise were tough, and I felt so arrogant if I ever dismissed my massive stroke of luck in getting the role of Cindy Campbell.
“That made me feel grotesque, as though I’d been poisoned by the fame; but at the same time, I felt, f***, if I’m good enough to compete, let me run with the champs! You know?”
The Wayans brothers have returned for Scary Movie 6, and Faris was stunned to be asked to reprise Cindy for the first time since 2006’s Scary Movie 4.
She said: “In February of 2025, he [Marlon] called me, and he said, ‘We’re getting the gang back together.’ I couldn’t believe it. So, for this to happen in this way has been euphoric for me. I’ve been so sentimental.
“I feel like I’m finally in a place where I could really thank them, where I could tell Keenen, ‘You’ve changed my life.’
“It was so pivotal as opposed to remembering how terrified I was back in those early days. It has been incredible for me. I don’t know too many people who get to have this life experience where it’s this kind of beautiful reunion.
“The fact that the audience seems hungry for it it’s thrilling. I did not imagine this for myself.”
