Carmen Electra is thankful to Keenen Ivory Wayans for getting her cast in 2000’s Scary Movie.
Keenen Ivory Wayans “fought” for Carmen Electra to be in Scary Movie 1.
The 68-year-old actor cast the 54-year-old actress as Drew Decker in his 2000 directorial film, which launched the parody movie franchise, despite people around him having doubts that she could pull off the role.
Carmen told People: “There’s so many movies and so many different genres, I knew I wanted to be a part of Scary Movie 1. I really wanted it, but I think that back then, they weren’t sure that … I know Keenen really wanted me in the movie, but no one else was sure I could do it.
“And so they had other people come in and shoot for it.
“He goes, ‘No.’ He fought for me. So I love you, Keenen, forever, for pulling for me and changing my career, because being in Scary Movie really did.”
The comic also called for Anna Faris, 49, to play Cindy Campbell in the first movie, and she has played the character in every flick in the series, except for 2013’s Scary Movie 5.
Carmen said: “Keenen, he fought for who he wanted in the movie and it worked. Scary Movie 1 was a complete hit, and it just worked. So it’s awesome.”
Keenen co-wrote 2026’s Scary Movie 6 alongside Shawn Wayans, 55, Marlon Wayans, 53, Craig Wayans, 50, and Rick Alvarez.
And Carmen – who makes a cameo appearance in the new flick – is thrilled that the Wayans brothers have returned to helm the franchise, after they had no involvement past 2001’s Scary Movie 2.
The blonde beauty said: “I was in the first Scary Movie and [Scary Movie 4], and I think we all could feel the difference without the Wayans not being involved in the fourth one. So it’s just so cool and it gets no better than working with the Wayans. It’s always fun. It’s a good time.”
Carmen thinks that Wayans brothers have created a type of comedy that no one else can.
And she has been a big fan of their work, having watched their sitcom The Wayans Bros, which ran from 1995 until 1999, as well as Keenen and Damom’s sketch comedy series, In Living Color, which was broadcast from 1990 until 1994.
Carmen said: “You know what? It felt special to me because I was a fan of the Wayans before the movie. I knew who they were, I watched their movies, I watched their TV show.”
But none of the cast of Scary Movie 1 – which grossed $278 million worldwide on a $19 million budget – could predict its success.
Carmen added: “I don’t think anyone knew it was going to be as big as it was. It blew up. It was number one all over the world. And we were on tour in Europe. It was fun. It was amazing.”
Keenen Ivory Wayans ‘fought’ for Carmen Electra in Scary Movie 1
