Marlon Wayans Reveals His Top Wayans Family Film
Marlon Wayans shares which Wayans family film stands out for him, reflecting on its influence on his career and the family's enduring presence in the film industry.
Few families in entertainment can rival the sheer scale and influence of the Wayans clan. Marlon Wayans, once a sitcom regular, is just one member of this prolific group. His brother Shawn starred alongside him in The Wayans Brothers, Damon Sr made his mark on Saturday Night Live, Damon Jr appeared in New Girl, Kim is celebrated for her impressions, and Dwayne has contributed as both writer and composer. And that’s only scratching the surface.
Among the many talented siblings, Keenen Ivory Wayans stands out as the trailblazer. He was the first to carve out a significant place in the industry, opening doors for the rest of the family. Keenen is perhaps most widely recognised for directing Scary Movie, which, for a time, held the record as the highest-grossing film by a Black American director and spawned a seemingly endless series. An Emmy winner and a true industry heavyweight, Keenen has long been a source of inspiration for his younger brother Marlon.
Family Inspiration and Early Influence
When asked to name his five favourite films, Marlon did not hesitate to highlight one of Keenen’s works. He singled out I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, a project he had been involved with from its inception.
“I was eight years old when Keenen sent me that script,” Marlon recalled. “I [had] never laughed so hard. It inspired me. I knew that was what I wanted to do. It’s really my number one – I mean, I think it’s crazy if I put my brother as number one. You’d think I was being biased, of which I probably am, but I’m not, because I really love that film and my brother. I think he’s a brilliant genius.”
Released in 1988, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka was both written and directed by Keenen, who also took on the lead role. The story follows a soldier returning to his old neighbourhood after his younger brother’s death, determined to confront a notorious crime boss. The film pays tribute to the Blaxploitation era of the 1970s, and while critics were divided, it resonated strongly with Black audiences. For Marlon, who made a brief appearance at just 16, it proved to be a pivotal moment.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
The significance of I’m Gonna Git You Sucka extended well beyond its initial release. Its commercial success prompted Fox to approach Keenen with the idea of creating his own television programme. Keenen’s vision was to develop a Black version of Saturday Night Live, which led to the birth of In Living Color. This show became a launchpad for several Wayans family members, as well as for Jamie Foxx and a certain Jim Carrey, whose later career needs little introduction.
Some might consider it self-indulgent for Marlon to choose a film he was involved in as his favourite, but the reasoning is clear. If your sibling wrote a script when you were a child, managed to bring it to the screen, and then used that success to forge a groundbreaking career, it would be difficult not to be impressed.