Marlon Wayans, currently starring in the latest Coen brothers film The Ladykillers with Tom Hanks, talks about stand-up, standing out, and what it means to be part of a big-name Hollywood family.
What makes a Coen brothers movie stand out?
You feel like you are there. You feel the city, the weather, the heat–they suck you into whatever world they’re in.
What stands out about each Wayans brother?
Well, with Damon, when it comes to stand-up, that’s his world. Keenan, when it comes to putting things together, structuring jokes, nobody is better. When it comes to coming up with ideas, nobody is better than Shawn. He is brilliant, most of the movies we’ve done have been Shawn’s ideas. I’m good at coming up with wacky characters and funny dialogue.
What were the difference between being directed by Joel Coen and being directed by your brother, Keenan Ivory Wayans?
Joel is white and Keenan is black. No, seriously, Keenan does jigsaw puzzles and the Coens do crossword puzzles. The Coens know all the answers before they even start, very organized and laid out. We kinda figure it out as we go. We know what we want but we have fun and play around with it more.
What are you tired of more, explaining which Wayans brother you are, or being the “baby” of the family?
Probably saying which Wayans brother I am. Actually, I don’t mind being a Wayans brother, I mind when they start calling you other people’s families. Like the Wymans or Tito. We are not the Jacksons. Wrong black family. I mean, once you brought the monkey in the house, we would have beaten you down.
Where did all this talent come from in a family of 10 kids?
I guess instead of talking dirty to my mom, my dad told jokes. [Laughs] Keenan really crystallized it for us. We watch him on our black-and-white television set, on the Johnny Carson show and we were like, “Wow! We could be on TV.” And from there, he just helped us turn our dreams into reality.
Growing up, what did you kids fight over the most at the dinner table?
Food. And forks. There were like only two in the house, so we had to play musical chairs with the forks.
How would you describe Gawain MacSam, your Ladykillers persona?
An assaholic, a bunkie junkie. He needs to go to AA–Asses Anonymous.
Describe a genuine ladykiller.
You’re lookin’ at him. I think its someone who understands in order to please a woman, you have to please her mentally. Starts with the head, “Let’s process this,” then seeps down into the emotion, “Oh, I like him!” and then seeps down into, well, giving ya some. You guys are very linear.
In Ladykillers, your group is trying to pull off a heist. If you could rob any establishment, what would it be?
Something corrupt, like a government. Or I’d probably rob somebody who robbed somebody. Like a drug dealer.
What is your dream role?
Bob Marley. Or Jimi Hendrix.
What would you like God to say to you at the pearly gates?
I know you’ve sinned, son, but get your ass up in here ’cause we need some party heavy.
