Today, it seems almost impossible to imagine the ‘Scary Movie‘ franchise without Anna Faris. Her hilarious portrayal of Cindy Campbell turned her into one of the defining comedy stars of the 2000s and helped establish the spoof series as a cultural phenomenon. Yet Faris recently revealed that she never considered herself a comedian before landing the role.
As the cast prepares to reunite for ‘Scary Movie 6,‘ which arrives in theaters on June 5, 2026, Faris reflects on how she felt before doing the parody project that launched her career. According to the actress, the audition process left her feeling completely overwhelmed, and she spent much of it convinced she did not belong there at all.
“I Don’t Fundamentally Feel Funny,” Says Faris
Before ‘Scary Movie’ debuted in 2000, Faris was far from an established Hollywood name. She had recently graduated from college, lacked significant acting credits, and had never built a career around comedy.
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Looking back on the process, Faris admitted she felt intimidated from the start. She was asked to submit three separate audition tapes despite having little experience in the genre. “I’m not funny,” she thought of herself at the time. “I don’t fundamentally feel funny.”
The uncertainty only intensified when director Keenen Ivory Wayans invited Anna to Los Angeles for additional auditions. She described herself as broke, nervous, and completely unsure of her chances. In fact, the actress spent an entire week auditioning for the Wayans brothers, expecting rejection at every turn.
But guess what? By the end of that week, the actress landed the lead role. The team quickly arranged for her to fly to Vancouver to begin production on what would become her first major Hollywood film.
The Fear Didn’t End Even After Getting Cast
Meanwhile, landing the role did not immediately boost Faris’ confidence, as much of her anxiety followed onto the set. During the production of the franchise’s first two films, she constantly worried that the studio or filmmakers might decide she was not good enough.
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Surrounded by seasoned performers such as Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans, and Shawn Wayans, Faris often kept to herself rather than socializing between takes. The actress later explained that she spent considerable time hiding in corners around the set because she feared attracting attention.
She worried people would realize she lacked a substantial resumé and decide to replace her. That fear lingered through multiple productions. It was only after ‘Scary Movie 3’ (2003) that she finally felt comfortable enough to trust her instincts and interact more freely with the cast and crew.
Faris On Returning To The Franchise After 25 Years
Over two decades after her first audition, Faris is returning to the spoof series that changed her life. This time, the experience looks very different. The actress has described ‘Scary Movie 6’ as a full-circle moment.
Rather than feeling like an outsider trying to prove herself, she now returns as one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces. Faris has also expressed gratitude toward the Wayans brothers for believing in her when she struggled to believe in herself.
Their decision to cast an inexperienced actress ultimately launched a career that would include iconic films such as ‘The House Bunny’ and the long-running sitcom ‘Mom.’ Reflecting on the upcoming reunion, Faris joked that the biggest difference this time is simple.
Turns out, the 49-year-old star no longer spends every day worrying about being fired. Instead, she gets to celebrate the franchise that transformed her from a nervous newcomer into one of comedy’s most recognizable stars.
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