Anna Faris says the movie that made her famous also made Hollywood see her in a much smaller box.
The 49-year-old actress is returning as Cindy Campbell in the new ‘Scary Movie’ entry, which hits theaters June 5. Original franchise creators Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans are also back, along with Faris’ longtime co-star Regina Hall.
For Faris, the return is emotional. ‘Scary Movie’ gave her a breakout role in 2000 and turned her into one of comedy’s most recognizable faces. But she says that success came with a frustrating cost.
Anna Faris Says Comedy Fame Limited Her Options
At the Los Angeles premiere on Wednesday, June 3, Faris told The Hollywood Reporter that the franchise has been a gift, but also a complicated one.
“It has been like an odd struggle for me and defining, frustrating, gratifying,” Faris said.
She said fans have shown her love for 25 years, but Hollywood did not always know what to do with her beyond comedy.
“I didn’t win any awards, I couldn’t even get an audition for like dramatic stuff,” she said.
Faris said she watched peers get chances she could not seem to access. That left her wondering what kind of future she had in the business.
She described feeling boxed into R-rated comedies and unsure where that path would lead.
‘Scary Movie’ Return Feels Different Now
Faris made her onscreen debut in the 1991 TV movie ‘Deception: A Mother’s Secret.’ She later appeared in ‘Eden’ and ‘Lovers Lane’ before ‘Scary Movie’ changed everything.
She went on to appear in every franchise installment except 2013’s ‘Scary Movie 5.’ When the Wayans brothers returned to the series in 2024, they prioritized bringing back Faris and Hall.
Now, Faris says she feels stronger in the role that once defined her.
“It just feels incredible to be like holding my own,” she said. “I’m a pillar now.”
She added, “And look at me, try to knock me over. I’m stable now.”
That line says plenty. After years of wondering whether Hollywood had moved on, Faris sounds ready to claim her place.
Faris Says The Timing Hit Hard
In recent years, Faris has appeared in ‘The Estate’ and ‘My Spy: The Eternal City.’ Her CBS sitcom ‘Mom’ ended in 2020, and she has continued with TV and voice work.
Still, she recently told Entertainment Weekly that she had started accepting the idea that Hollywood might be easing her out.
“I had been coming around to the idea of Hollywood sort of putting me out to pasture,” Faris said. “And that was okay.”
The comeback also came after a personal blow. Faris said the Los Angeles home she shared with husband Michael Barrett and son Jack Pratt burned down in the January 2025 fires.
“With the house burning down, there was a lot of taking stock,” she said.
That made the ‘Scary Movie’ return feel even bigger. Faris said she felt “shocked and immediately thrilled” when the offer came.
Now, Cindy Campbell is back. And Faris seems ready to remind Hollywood that comedy was never her ceiling.
