Anna Faris almost did not land the role of Cindy in the original Scary Movie, according to Marlon Wayans, who said actress Melissa Joan Hart was initially expected to play the part before the casting changed. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Faris asked Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans whether any celebrity had ever badly wanted to appear in Scary Movie but was ultimately turned down. Marlon Wayans then revealed that Hart “was supposed to play Anna’s part,” prompting surprise from both Faris and Shawn Wayans.
Wayans said the decision shifted after their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans, who directed the first Scary Movie in 2000 and helped shape the franchise, saw Faris audition. According to Marlon Wayans, Keenen felt Faris was the right fit for Cindy and pushed for her casting. Wayans recalled that Keenen said he had seen “this young lady Anna Faris” and believed she was the character they were looking for.
Marlon Wayans joked about the casting history, saying Faris had effectively taken Hart’s role, adding a playful comment about “white on white crime.” The remark was made in a lighthearted tone during the interview, which centered on the long-running horror parody series and its casting history.
The revelation came as Scary Movie 6 opened strongly at the box office, earning $56 million in its debut weekend. That marks the biggest opening in the 26-year history of the franchise. The new Paramount-Miramax film is the first Scary Movie sequel since 2013’s Scary Movie 5 and continues the series’ spoof style by parodying recent horror hits and cultural favorites, including Sinners, The Substance, Nope, and Get Out.
Along with Faris and the Wayans family members involved in the project, the film also brings back several familiar faces from earlier installments, including Regina Hall, Lochlyn Monroe, Dave Sheridan, and Jon Abrahams. The return of cast members from the original films adds to the nostalgia surrounding the new release, while the strong opening suggests continued audience interest in the franchise’s mix of horror parody and reunion-style appeal.
The casting story adds a new layer to one of the series’ most recognizable roles and highlights how close Scary Movie came to taking a different path before Anna Faris became closely associated with the franchise.
