Marlon Wayans Says Movies Like “White Chicks” Are Needed And Explained Why Jokes Shouldn’t Get A Person Canceled
Fiyin Olowokandi
6 min read
Marlon Wayans Says Movies Like “White Chicks” Are Needed And Explained Why Jokes Shouldn’t Get A Person Canceled
Quantrell D. Colbert / ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett CollectionMW: No, Regina and I, I think, are very similar in that we get better with age. We start to uncover and explore different facets of our talent. To watch her continue to do what she’s doing and to be around in this game 30 years, and stay relevant, it’s a very hard thing to do. So, I think we’re both blessed and we both support each other.
NOW: In The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Kelly Rowland is your leading lady. What was one of your favorite memories on set with her? And what’s one thing you learned about Kelly that might surprise people?
NetflixMW: We have a bunch. I think my favorite was just the whole experience of being on set together. When we wrapped she bought me a Auchentoshan whiskey book, and I love it! I’m trying all the whiskey that’s in that book, so I hate her for that. But she’s just a sweetheart, a great spirit. During my first week on set when we started filming, I think was the week her mom passed. I’ve lost my mom too, so I sent her a bottle of great whiskey, and I told her to enjoy yourself. I think she came into work the next day slurring.
THEN: When it comes to social media, you never shy away from posting your kids, whether it’s in support of them or to embarrass them. How has fatherhood helped mold you into the man you are today?
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans)
MW: It’s everything! I think it identifies you. I think the man you are to your children is important, because that’s the man that’s healing the kid that was hurt from the man from your childhood. You get to redo what your parents did and give that to your children. I gave my children all the love that I could possibly give and I’m looking forward to one day when they have kids, for them to do better than I did. I would say my most important job has been being a father.
NOW: Stranger Things star Priah Ferguson plays your daughter in the film. Did you two do anything off screen to build that on screen father-daughter relationship?
Frank Masi /© Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection
MW: We didn’t do stuff off set. I think in-between takes it was natural for us to have a chemistry, because when she came into work I was cracking jokes and I was asking her about school. I asked her who her friends are, and what to stay away from, and I gave her business advice, and answered any questions that she had for me. I also recommended some movies for her to watch, like White Chicks. We just built a great rapport and a really great relationship, so it was easy for us to have that dynamic on screen.
THEN: You blew audiences away with your performance as Lou on Bel-Air, especially those shocked to see you in a dramatic role. You had people, including myself, yelling at the screen. Does it motivate you or deter you when you hear fans get surprised by your versatility as an actor?
PeacockMW: It always motivates you to hear positive feedback. I’m a student to what I do to my craft, to writing, to acting, to producing, to stand-up, and to the dramatic arts, I do the work. There’s so much more for me to show the audience. It’s just that I’m too busy creating opportunities. If more opportunities came my way, I would showcase that more, but in the meantime I spend a lot of time creating opportunities. If I didn’t create opportunities, I probably wouldn’t work. So, at some point, the tides will shift, and I’ll get those opportunities that have been eluding me. I’ll get to showcase all that I can do, and let’s hope it’s before I’m like 90.
NOW: Earlier you mentioned recommending Priah watch White Chicks. I want to know in this day and age with stricter forms of censorship, could a movie like White Chicks thrive?
Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett CollectionMW: I think they’re needed. I don’t know what planet we’re on, where you think people don’t need laughter, and that people need to be censored and canceled. If a joke is gonna get me canceled, thank you for doing me that favor. It’s sad that society is in this place where we can’t laugh anymore. I ain’t listening to this damn generation. I ain’t listening to these folks: These scared-ass people, these scared executives. Y’all do what you want to do? Great. I’m still gonna tell my jokes the way I tell them. And if you want to make some money, jump on board. And if not, then I’ll find a way to do it myself. I know my audience. My audience comes to my shows every weekend and they leave feeling great and laughing. One thing about the Wayans, we’ve always told the worst joke the best way.
THEN: I previously mentioned fans being surprised by your performance. What’s one role fans would be surprised you auditioned for but didn’t get?
Weiss Eubanks / NBCUniversal via Getty ImagesMW: That’s a tough one. I don’t know, I don’t keep track of the stuff I didn’t get. I’ve never been like, “Damn, I can’t believe I didn’t get that role as Glenn, the janitor, in that movie with Robert Williams. I’m so mad.” I don’t keep a count of that. You never look at a door that somebody shuts like, “How do I get in that door?” No, God closes the door and you kick another one open. I’m not going to waste my energy on that. I’ve only got so much storage space in my brain. So, after I do an audition, or after I go in for something, or after I do a project, I immediately erase that experience because I’m looking forward to filling that space with new experiences.
NOW: What can you tell us about any upcoming projects? I know you’re currently on your Microphone Fiend comedy tour and filming the upcoming Nike movie.
Bravo / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesMW: Yeah, that’s with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. I’m sworn to secrecy about that one, but it’s going to be really good. Ben Affleck is an amazing director. I also have a stand-up special I just shot called God Loves Me. It’s really funny. I’m gonna start shopping that around in a few weeks, so we’ll see which streaming service that lands on.
THEN & NOW: Lastly, any chance we’ll see you in Season 2 of Bel-Air?
View this video on YouTube
To see more of Marlon, be sure to check out his new film, The Curse of Bridge Hollow, and be on the lookout for his upcoming comedy special, God Loves Me.
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