Marlon Wayans has recently made shocking claims about how Harvey Weinstein, with the possible assistance of Oprah Winfrey, allegedly stole the “Scary Movie” franchise from the Wayans family, depriving them of potential billions.

The iconic comedy franchise, launched in 2000, was a massive hit, blending horror and humor in a way that had never been done before. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and starring Marlon and Shawn Wayans, the film quickly became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $278 million worldwide on a modest $19 million budget.

However, despite the success of the first “Scary Movie” and its sequel, the Wayans family was soon pushed out of their own creation. Marlon Wayans recently revealed during an episode of Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, “Club Shay Shay,” that the initial deal they made with Miramax, a company co-owned by Harvey and Bob Weinstein, was extremely unfavorable. The Wayans were paid a meager amount compared to the film’s massive earnings, and their contributions were severely undervalued.

While the family did secure a slightly better deal for the second installment in 2001, their relationship with Miramax soured, leading to their exclusion from the franchise by the time “Scary Movie 3” rolled around.

According to Marlon, the Weinstein brothers and Miramax brought in the Zucker brothers to direct “Scary Movie 3” based on the ideas the Wayans had shared during their pitch—reportedly without their knowledge or consent. This betrayal was particularly painful as the Wayans brothers had put their heart and soul into developing the franchise, which had fundamentally reshaped the horror-comedy genre.

Marlon also suggested that Oprah Winfrey, one of the most influential figures in media, might have played a role in helping Weinstein maintain his grip on Hollywood, which included pushing black creators like the Wayans out of the industry. While there is no concrete evidence of Oprah’s direct involvement in this situation, her close ties to Weinstein during his reign in Hollywood have raised eyebrows, especially in light of Marlon’s accusations.

The Wayans family, often likened to the Jacksons of the comedy world, has produced numerous memorable and cult classic films over the years. However, none quite hit the comedic sweet spot like the first two “Scary Movie” films. These movies didn’t just blend horror with humor—they masterfully mocked the entire horror genre, cracking jokes relentlessly and without restraint.

Despite their significant contributions to the franchise, the Wayans were cut out of the profits and future films. Marlon revealed that they found out about their exclusion from “Scary Movie 3” while on a Christmas vacation, reading the news on Christmas Eve. He described the Weinstein brothers and Miramax as “evil” for their actions.

Ultimately, while the Wayans have continued to create successful films like “White Chicks” and “Little Man,” the loss of the “Scary Movie” franchise remains a sore point. Marlon believes that justice was served when Weinstein was eventually convicted of numerous crimes and sentenced to 23 years in prison. However, the damage to the Wayans’ legacy and potential earnings had already been done. As Marlon put it, sometimes all you need to do is trust in divine justice—because when it comes for those who have wronged you, it’s inevitable.