Marlon Wayans is a natural comic

Marlon Wayans is a natural comic

When it comes to dishing out rib-tickling interview responses, US funnyman Marlon Wayans hardly needs to pause to think.

The 41-year-old actor-comedian is a natural at hilarious, rapid-fire comebacks.

He was really fast when he spoke to us on the phone from Los Angeles yesterday. And the comical Wayans you see on the big screen is what you get off-screen as well.

Following successes like White Chicks (2004) and Scary Movie (2002), Wayans is back in new comedy-horror flick A Haunted House 2.

It is the sequel to last year's A Haunted House, which was made on a US$2.5 million (S$3.1 million) production budget and raked in more than US$40 million at the US box office.

Opening here on July 10, A Haunted House 2 stars Wayans as Malcolm, who begins life anew with new love interest Megan (Jaime Pressly) and her two children in their new home.

In this movie which spoofs recent horror films like Insidious: Chapter 2, Sinister and The Conjuring, things are not always what they seem as strange things start to happen a la Paranormal Activity.

Wayans spoke to M about his latest project, the lasting success of White Chicks and his over-the-top sense of humour.

Why did you decide to do a sequel to A Haunted House?

The first one was so successful that we just had to. We have a fun time with the jokes and this time, we had a lot more material to go on, like the haunted doll from (2013 horror flick) The Conjuring.

Speaking of the doll, you were getting naughty with it for one scene. Was that tough to do?

Not at all! It's funny because when my kids came to see the premiere, they cringed. I'm like, "Come on, that's how you were made!"

Your sense of humour borders on offensive at times. Do you think that is a problem?

People can be so hypersensitive sometimes. It's supposed to be funny first, not offensive. I think it's always good to have someone who's daring, crazy, bold and funny. Do I draw the line at anything? No, not really.

White Chicks was a box-office hit in Singapore, and this year marks its 10th anniversary. Is it your proudest work?

Then Singaporeans have a greater sense of humour than people give them credit for. It was definitely one of my funniest and most successful works to date. A black guy gets to play a white woman - imagine that! Maybe we'll do a sequel, who knows?

What are your favourite comedy and horror films?

Liar Liar, White Chicks and The Nutty Professor as well as A Nightmare On Elm Street.

Will you ever try other genres?

Sure, maybe a romantic comedy next?

Do you think the horror-spoof comedy genre is starting to run its course?

I don't think it ever will because there will always be someone reinventing it.

Who are some of the funniest people you know?

Probably my brothers and my mum.

What do your children, Amai, 13, and Shawn, 12, think of their dad?

They know what I do and they know that if they need cheering up, I'm there for them. They know I can make them laugh.

Can we expect you in Singapore any time soon?

We have no plans yet, but it's definitely on the cards. We have to do a tour there and crack jokes to you guys.


This article was first published on June 25, 2014.
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