Anna Faris‘ iconic role as Cindy in the horror parody feature film series Scary Movie almost went to another actress, revealed writer, producer and star Marlon Wayans.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Faris asked Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans if there was “ever a celebrity that desperately wanted to be in a Scary Movie, but you had to hit them with a hard no?”
“Melissa Joan Hart. She was supposed to play Anna’s part,” Marlon Wayans said, as both Faris and his brother reacted in disbelief.
The Him star explained it was the duo’s older brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans, the director of the inaugural entry in 2000 and one of the co-architects of the franchise, who pushed for Faris to get the role after seeing her audition.
“Keenan was like, ‘I saw this young lady Anna Faris, and it really feels like that’s our Cindy,’” Marlon Wayans recalled.
He continued, “So you took Melissa Joan Hart’s job! Good job, Anna. Way to go. Taking food out of another white lady’s mouth,” joking that the casting reversal exemplified “white on white crime.”
This weekend, the box office take for Scary Movie 6 totaled $56 million, the best ever opening in the franchise’s 26-year history. The Paramount-Miramax flick is the latest followup since 2013’s Scary Movie 5, spoofing recent horror fare like Sinners, The Substance and Jordan Peele’s Nope and Get Out.
Alongside Faris and the Wayans, Regina Hall, Lochlyn Monroe, Dave Sheridan and Jon Abrahams all returned to star in the film.