Anna Faris has joined the cast of the upcoming Scary Movie 6 reboot, a role she accepted after believing her acting career was winding down.
The invitation came in early 2025, shortly after her home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
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The new installment marks the franchise's first entry in 13 years. It reunites Faris, co-star Regina Hall, and the Wayans brothers for the first time in two decades.
A Welcome Opportunity Amid Personal Hardship
Faris reflected on her mindset before receiving the offer from co-writer Marlon Wayans. She had come to terms with Hollywood moving on from her.
The project provided unexpected relief during a period of personal transition.
“I had been coming around to the idea of Hollywood sort of putting me out to pasture. And that was okay,” Faris told Entertainment Weekly.
The actress noted that the timing of the film allowed her to frequently thank the production team on set.
The experience followed a major period of reflection after losing her home.
“With the house burning down, there was a lot of taking stock. So to have this opportunity to thank them — I got to thank them every day.
They were probably really annoyed with me,” she said.
Reuniting with Co-Stars and Improvising Key Moments
During production, Faris focused on the onscreen dynamic between her character, Cindy Campbell, and Hall's character, Brenda Meeks.
She improvised a line to highlight their bond.
“As we were shooting, I started to think about Cindy’s deep love of Brenda and her friendship with Brenda.
Cindy may now be a horrible mom, but she’d do anything for Brenda,” Faris shared.
She emphasized her genuine affection for Hall. “I think they kept it in — I ad-libbed this line — ‘I would do anything for you, Brenda.’
And I mean it about Regina, too,” she said.
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The new film, directed by Michael Tiddes, parodies the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 Capitol riot. Faris expressed optimism about the franchise's future.
“I don't think it dies. I don't know, at least not for me,” she told Entertainment Weekly.
Faris also commented on the unique appeal of the creators. She said the industry has long underestimated the Scary Movie series.
“I said this when Marlon called, and this is maybe arrogant for me to say, but the town always underestimated and never really understood Scary Movie,” she said.
She praised the Wayans brothers' connection with the audience. “There's something electric about what the Wayans Brothers have.
There is something that's very human in them, and they bring out something that makes people root for them,” she observed.
Faris concluded by expressing her gratitude for the opportunity. “I'm just really happy to be part of this journey,” she said.
“I'm just honored to go along for the ride.”
In a separate interview with PEOPLE, Faris recalled her initial reaction to the casting news. She described the reunion as a personal triumph.
“For all of us to be back together, for me, it felt like such a victory,” she said.
She added that public excitement enhanced the experience. “It didn't matter what happened, how the movie was received.
At the moment, it felt so good for me personally. It's like the cherry on top that audiences are so excited to see it.
It's a really special time in my life. I feel grateful,” she said.
Faris noted that reuniting with the cast provided emotional closure. “It's a little healing in the sense that we got to be back together again.
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That is, for me, a personal celebration because I got to thank them. I'd never thanked them properly,” she told PEOPLE.
