Kim Wayans is a superstar. Part of the infamously multi-talented Wayans clan, she found her breakout roles in Hollywood Shuffle and A Different World. Since then, she’s starred in over 30 projects and crossed over into the directing sphere. But it has always been magical watching her work with her brothers in a multitude of comedies. There’s a rhythm and trust they have with each other that’s effortless. So, when Kim Wayans was announced as part of the Scary Movie cast, audiences knew this movie would be special. Absent from both Scary Movie 1 and 2, this year’s Scary Movie is an even larger family affair, including multiple generations of the Wayans that bring heightened creativity to the script.
Known for hilariously satirizing contemporary horror movies, the Scary Movie franchise was begging for a comeback after the success of Get Out, Final Destination 6, M3GAN, Terrifier 3, Smile, Weapons, The Substance, MA, Sinners, Halloween, Longlegs, Scream, and even more movies not shown in the trailers. For Kim Wayans’ role as Nurse Ratchett (a different kind of Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), she decided to add her own touch.
Describing her character in just one word: “Ratchet!” Kim Wayans spoke to The Koalltiion to reveal more about her role, working with her family, and how she’s bringing even more comedy to her YouTube channel.
“I don’t believe I’ve played a character like Nurse Ratchett before that I can think of, but then again, I’m old, so maybe I don’t remember. But it’s a fun exploration when you get the material and there’s stuff to figure out. ‘Who is this woman?’ ‘Who is she?’ Then I find the particular way she looks at the world and what’s funny about her. Then I go from there. That’s how I approach all my characters. “There are a couple of things I added to really bring this character to life. I don’t want to spoil it. Once you see the movie, though, you’ll see the couple of things that I added.”
Nurse Ratchett is introduced as someone close to Cindy [Ann Faris] is hospitalized and unfortunately is under Ratchett’s care. While she does her best to save patients, she is quick to let you know she’s going on break and not mess up her day. “She goes on break a lot. Her name tells you a lot about who she is. Nurse Ratched, and let’s just say you don’t want the misfortune of her being on duty when you’re in the hospital. I had a ball with this character. She was on the page, but I pulled out my little pad, and I seasoned her with the things I had thought were really funny, and I think it really brought her to life.”
While she’ll come to your rescue, don’t count on her to be happy about it. In one standout scene, she’s in the breakroom, which brings many laughs, not just for how she acts but for what she says. This moment [among many] is attributed to the Wayans’ signature ad-libbing style and overall comfort with each other.
Kim Wayans (L) as Nurse Ratchett in Paramount Pictures’ Scary Movie 6.
“There’s a lot of adlibbing that goes on. I always come with something in my back pocket. You can give me what you want to give me, but I’m always going to come with something else. That’s just what we do. That’s how Keenen [Ivory Wayans] trained us, and that’s what we do.”
“I have a certain amount of grace when I’m working with my family. I know, they want this. This is what they want. So, I have permission without even asking for permission. And so, I just go. I just go. Of course, I’m respectful to the other actors if I don’t do anything that’s going to interfere with what they need to do because that’s just selfish. But I’m going to get mine.”
When Kim isn’t busy with Hollywood, both in front of and behind the scenes, she’s busy with her YouTube channel, “Still Got It,” which prepared her to get back into the rhythm of being in front of the camera for Scary Movie.
Blending her comedic roots with real issues women face as they get older, she plays Izzi Fabulous, “your life coach, your sister, friend, and bitch who can still steal your man if you blink.” As Ms. Fabulous, her topics range from love to dating and hilarious interviews with the friend of a friend of a friend of someone who’s famous.
“I have a YouTube; I started my own YouTube channel. [My] new show called “Still Got It.” It’s a comedic wellness show for women of a certain age, but it’s for everybody. It’s old-school comedy. I’m doing a bunch of different characters. So, subscribe to the Kim Wayans.”
To learn more about Wayans role, check out our full interview in the video above. Scary Movie released in theaters on June 5th.
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