Marlon Wayans names the best movie made by a member of the Wayans family
If Marlon Wayans ever needed back-up in a Hollywood dynasty fistfight, he’d have plenty of options.
The former sitcom star is part of an absolutely gargantuan show business family. Shawn was his former co-star on The Wayans Brothers; Damon Sr used to be on Saturday Night Live; Damon Jr was on New Girl; Kim is a talented impressionist; Dwayne is a writer and composer. And that’s not even the half of it.
One of the many, many family members not mentioned in that opening paragraph is Keenen Ivory Wayans, an actor and a filmmaker who was the first sibling to really break into the industry, paving the way for his brothers and sisters to follow, perhaps best-known for directing Scary Movie, which was, for a time, the highest-grossing movie ever directed by a Black American, spawning a seemingly never-ending franchise. He’s an Emmy winner, an industry titan, and a source of inspiration to his little brother.
Speaking to Rotten Tomatoes about his five favourite movies, Marlon gave a little shoutout to one of Keenen’s movies. He picked I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, a movie he was a part of from the very start.
“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 movie and my brother. I think he’s a brilliant genius.”
Released in 1988, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka was written and directed by Keenen, who also appeared in the lead role. He plays a soldier who, upon the death of his younger brother, returns to his old neighbourhood to do battle with an evil crime boss.
Designed to pay homage to the Blaxploitation movement of the 1970s, the film was met with mixed reviews from critics, although most Black audience members loved it. It proved to be a vital stepping stone for young Marlon, who, aged just 16, makes a brief cameo.
That wasn’t the only long-lasting impact the movie would have. I’m Gonna Git You Sucka was enough of a commercial success for Fox to approach Keenen about making his own show. He wanted to essentially create a Black version of Saturday Night Live. Thus, In Living Color was born. The show would provide entry points for several members of the Wayans family, as well as Jamie Foxx and a fella by the name of Jim Carrey. Wonder what happened to him?
It might seem a little egotistical for Marlon to call a movie he was a part of one of his favourites, but just think about it for a second. If your brother wrote a movie when you were a kid, then actually got it made and translated that success into a revolutionary career, you’d be pretty impressed too.
