Anna Faris is reflecting on her return to the “Scary Movie” franchise, calling it one of the most meaningful moments of her career. Faris first rose to fame playing Cindy Campbell in the 2000 spoof comedy, a role that helped launch her Hollywood career and turned her into a familiar face in film and television. Now, she is set to reprise the character in the upcoming sixth installment, which brings back the original creative team behind the franchise’s first films.
The new movie marks a reunion with Marlon, Shawn, and Keenen Wayans, who helped create the franchise and have reclaimed control of it after years away from the series. Faris said the opportunity arrived during a difficult period in her life, after she lost her home in the 2025 Palisades Fire. She said the call from Marlon Wayans came about a month later and felt especially important because it gave her a chance to reconnect with the brothers and express her gratitude.
Faris also revealed that the conversation was the first time she had spoken with any of the Wayans brothers since working on “Scary Movie 2.” Although she returned for “Scary Movie 3” and “Scary Movie 4,” she had not been in close contact with them and admitted she had wondered whether they were upset with her. Marlon Wayans, however, has said he did not take her involvement in the later films personally and was simply happy to have her back for the new project.
The actress said she had begun to accept the idea that Hollywood might no longer be calling her for major roles, and that she was at peace with slowing down. Faris stepped away from work in 2020 to focus on family and has said in previous interviews that she spent much of that time with her son. She described the period as an unplanned sabbatical that felt good and helped her reset her priorities.
Before “Scary Movie,” Faris was studying literature and had not expected her first Hollywood audition to become such a major breakthrough. The film became a surprise hit and launched a career that later included roles in movies such as “The House Bunny,” “What’s Your Number?,” “Overboard,” “Just Friends,” and “The Dictator,” along with voice work in animated films including “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “The Emoji Movie.”
Faris said returning to the franchise feels “healing” and described the reunion with the cast and creators as a personal celebration. “Scary Movie” will open in theaters on June 5.
