Marlon Wayans say a sequel to White Chicks is more than just a good idea, but is necessary for Hollywood to make today. Released in 2004, White Chicks starred Marlon Wayans alongside his brother Shawn Wayans, in which they played FBI agents brother who go undercover as two rich white sisters, Tiffany and Brittany Wilson. Terry Crews appeared in a supporting role as a basketball player who falls for 'Tiffany'. It was directed by another Wayans brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans.
While the movie was a hit at the box office, it seemed to be a critical failure, earning itself two Razzie nominations for Worst Picture and Worst Actress, for both the Wayans Brothers. Recently, however, it has begun to be seen as something of a cult classic. The improvement in its reputation seems to have been confirmed in 2019 when Terry Crews said that a sequel was in the works. Marlon Wayans later clarified that though a sequel had not been confirmed, he hoped to make it happen.
Recently speaking with Variety, Wayans went one step further. Wayans said that not only did he want to get the sequel off the ground, that it was also "necessary" for Hollywood. He suggested that Hollywood didn't understand what a "juggernaut" a sequel would be, as people have "tightened up" to the extent they now need to "loosen our ties a bit". Check out the full quote below:
"I think White Chicks 2 is necessary. I think we've tightened up so much that we need to loosen our ties a bit and laugh a little bit. I don't think Hollywood understands what a juggernaut White Chicks 2 would be. And the world just keeps giving us more [ideas]. White Chicks 2 is writing itself."
It's unclear whether White Chicks' status as a cult classic falls into the so-bad-its-good category or whether it has been reappraised more positively in the years since its release. One aspect of this is Marlon and Shawn Wayans' "whiteface" performances in the movie, which have contributed to discussions on racial sensitivities around actors pretending to be other races on film. One part of this discussion is how whiteface differs from race-swapping and racist portrayals of marginalized and minority groups. Wayans seems to allude to this potential sensitivity, suggesting that a potential White Chicks 2 might help people to laugh about it in good humor.
Not only might the racial humor need to be sensitively handled, but the stereotype of the rich white Wilson sisters might also have to be updated to remain comedically relevant. Wayans also recently took to social media to confirm that the Wilson sisters were based on Paris and Nicky Hilton. While the Hilton sisters stood atop the socialite ladder in 2004, in 2021 the socialite landscape - and therefore potential targets for humor - is completely different. Other aspects of the humor, such as gender stereotyping and date drugging, would also need a rethink.
While Wayans convinces Hollywood exactly why White Chicks 2 needs to happen, audiences can see Wayans in cinemas in the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect as Franklin's first husband Ted White. Wayans can also be seen comic book form as Robin in Batman '89, finally appearing in the role he was cast in by Tim Burton for Burton's aborted Batman Returns follow-up. White Chicks is available on streaming services.
Source: Variety