On today’s episode of the “Daily Variety” podcast, “Scary Movie” director Michael Tiedes explains how Sean and Marlon Wayans came to be trusted to revive the beloved horror-comedy series. And Tiddes details the extras in Paramount and Miramax’s extended director’s cut of the film, which was released today on PVOD platforms.
Tids, whose past feature directorial credits include 2017’s Naked, 2019’s Sextuplets, and 2024’s Half Baked: Totally High, began his career as an assistant to brothers Marlon Wayans and Sean Wayans. That gig inevitably brought him into contact with a large family of comedy stars. The revival of “Scary Movies” made sense since the brothers had lost ownership of it in the early ’80s amid a dispute with then-Miramax president Harvey Weinstein.
“I was lucky enough to start my career at Wayans as an assistant and to be behind the scenes when they were making[2004’s]White Chicks and[2006’s]Little Man and really see how they made the magic happen,” Tids explains. “This movie was a great full circle for both of us, because the Wayans had lost this series years ago, and now they’ve rightfully gotten it back. In that respect, Scary Movie is back with the original members who created this series. And when they called me and said they believed in me as the only guy who could take the helm of their biggest series, I was speechless and excited. It was the best feeling for me.
Tydes is similarly excited to see a special helmer compilation released this week, including one that promises an unseen alternate ending. For him, it’s a generous bonus-material flashback to the movies of his youth, a love of which propelled him to seek a career in Hollywood.
“There are over 30 minutes of bonus features and an extended cut that is 13 minutes longer than the theatrical cut and includes all new scenes not seen in theaters,” Tids says. “So there were more jokes, more chaos, more lines crossed. … I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s. I loved the extras on the DVDs. I loved the behind-the-scenes stuff. I loved the director’s commentary. It was because of film school that I fell in love with movies and wanted to do this job. So I love the fact that we’re doing it.”
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