Marlon Wayans recently lost 20 pounds to bring back his legendary character Shorty Meeks for the upcoming Scary Movie 6. After gaining weight to portray a pro football player in the horror film Him, Wayans reversed course in preparation for reprising his role in the comedy horror franchise. This commitment highlights his dedication to authentically embody the character fans have adored for over two decades.
From Football Player to Comedy Icon: Wayans’ Versatile Transformations
The 53-year-old actor first spoke about his intense physical regimen in an Entertainment Weekly interview published on September 11. Wayans described enduring challenging workouts to prepare for different roles, including Isaiah White in the Jordan Peele-produced film Him, which premieres on September 19. He emphasized he didn’t want to appear “buff” as Shorty, explaining,
“Even right now, it’s Scary Movie. I just lost 20 lbs busting my behind every day ’cause I didn’t wanna show up to set as Shorty buff at 225. That’d be lazy of me,”
Wayans said.
He further stated,
“I wanna do the work, I wanna look like Shorty. So when I’m able to [in his Shorty voice] have fun and s***, people are able to laugh at me, son,”
underlining his desire to maintain the character’s original charm and humor.
Scary Movie 6: The Wayans Brothers Reunite After 18 Years
Marlon Wayans originally played Shorty Meeks in the first two Scary Movie installments, which were box office successes. The announcement of the sixth film in April 2024 marks a significant reunion of the Wayans brothers—Marlon, Shawn, and Keenan Ivory—who are collaborating again to write an original script after nearly two decades. Their return promises a fresh yet familiar take for the longtime fans of the franchise.
Humor and Cultural Satire Remain Central to the Franchise
The comedian reflected on the inclusive nature of their humor, stating,
“When we did White Chicks, we made fun of everybody,”
Marlon said.
“We made fun of Black people, we made fun of white people, we made fun of Hispanic people. That’s just what we do. We make fun of the world, make light of the world. It’s not to harm, it’s to bring humor.”
This balanced comedic approach will continue in Scary Movie 6.
Returning Cast Members and New Spoofs in the Upcoming Film
Original stars Regina Hall and Anna Faris will reprise their roles as Brenda and Cindy, respectively. Both actresses expressed excitement about the reunion with the Wayans brothers. They shared,
“We can’t wait to bring Brenda and Cindy back to life and be reunited with our great friends Keenen, Shawn, and Marlon — three men we’d literally die for (in Brenda’s case, again),”
affirming their enthusiasm for the project.
The new film is expected to parody a range of popular horror titles beyond its usual targets. According to Marlon Wayans, movies such as Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Nope, along with franchises like Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Heretic, and Sinners, will be spoofed. He told Comicbook.com on September 9 that they
“plan on having a field day”
with all this material.
Release Date and Anticipated Impact on the Horror Comedy Genre
Scary Movie 6 is scheduled to premiere in theaters on June 12, 2026, continuing the franchise’s legacy of blending horror with satire. The return of the Wayans brothers and original cast members signals a revival of the series’ signature style. Given the renewed involvement of the original creative forces and the wide array of modern horror films being spoofed, this installment is poised to attract both longtime fans and new audiences.
