Emily Carter
The 2004 comedy film White Chicks was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and co-written by Wayans, Xavier Cook, Andy McElfresh, Michael Anthony Snowden, and stars Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. The film follows two Black FBI agent brothers who go undercover as white women to unravel a kidnapping plot. Marlon Wayans revealed that the idea for the film came from seeing the Hilton sisters, Paris and Nicky, on the cover of a magazine. However, there is some controversy around the idea for the film, as two writers, Jon and Jason Coppola, claim that the film was based on a script they submitted to the Wayans brothers in 2001.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of release | 23 June 2004 |
| Director | Keenen Ivory Wayans |
| Writers | Keenen Ivory Wayans, Xavier Cook, Andy McElfresh, Michael Anthony Snowden, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans |
| Producers | Keenen Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans |
| Budget | $37 million |
| Box office collection | $113.1 million |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Screenplay | Co-written by Wayans, Xavier Cook, Andy McElfresh, Michael Anthony Snowden, with additional contributions by Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans |
| Cast | Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Jaime King, Frankie Faison, Lochlyn Munro, John Heard |
| Plot | Two black male FBI agents go undercover as white women by using whiteface to protect two hotel heiresses from a kidnapping plot targeting socialites |
| Rating | 15% on Rotten Tomatoes |
| Awards | Nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture |
| Allegations | Jon Coppola, Jason Coppola, and Mario Pittore claim that the movie was based on their script |
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What You'll Learn
The Wayans brothers were accused of stealing the idea
The Wayans brothers, Marlon and Shawn, were accused of stealing the idea for the film *White Chicks*. The brothers co-wrote and starred in the film, which was directed by their sibling Keenen Ivory Wayans. The film was released in 2004 and became a commercial success, grossing over $113 million worldwide.
However, four men—Mario Pittore and brothers Jason, Jon, and James Coppola—claimed that the Wayans brothers stole the idea from their script, "Johnny Bronx". The Coppola brothers are distant relatives of the famous filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. In 2001, they developed "The Contract", a script spun off from the concept of an earlier short film, "Snaps", written by Jason Coppola. "The Contract" script was shown to the Wayans brothers, but they passed on the project.
"Johnny Bronx", a script about a black FBI agent who uses medical technology to become white and infiltrate the Mafia, was then presented to the Wayans brothers in 2001. The brothers declined, stating that it was not their type of movie. However, three years later, the film *White Chicks* was released, starring the Wayans brothers as black FBI agents who pose as young white hotel heiresses. The Coppola brothers and Pittore claimed that *White Chicks* was similar to their "Johnny Bronx" script, and they sued the Wayans brothers in federal court, seeking $15 million in damages.
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The film was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans
The 2004 American comedy film "White Chicks" was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. Wayans also co-wrote and produced the film alongside his brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The Wayans brothers are known for their comedic partnership, which has solidified their place in the landscape of American comedy.
Keenen Ivory Wayans has directed several blockbuster comedies, including "Scary Movie" (2000) and "Scary Movie 2" (2001). "White Chicks" is another addition to his list of directorial ventures. The film is about two African American male FBI agents who disguise themselves as white women using whiteface makeup. This unique premise forms the basis for much of the movie's humour, which revolves around race, including innuendos, stereotypes, and slurs.
The success of "White Chicks" and other similar films, such as Keenen Ivory Wayans's "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka," allowed Wayans to pursue further creative endeavours. He went on to create a TV series for the Fox network, which was a sketch comedy show with a diverse cast that pushed boundaries.
"White Chicks" received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised its humour and entertainment value, others criticised its portrayal of race and the use of prosthetics. Despite this, the film grossed $19.7 million in its opening weekend, showcasing its popularity with audiences.
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The plot centres on two black FBI agents going undercover as white women
The 2004 American comedy film "White Chicks" was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, who also co-wrote the screenplay with his brothers, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans, and co-produced it with them. The film was distributed by Revolution Studios and Columbia Pictures.
Kevin and Marcus continue with the mission, posing as the two women. The real Brittany and Tiffany see their faces in a magazine and realise that two people are impersonating them. They expose Kevin and Marcus, causing mass confusion. Warren begins the kidnapping but incorrectly captures Marcus/Tiffany and Brittany. This leads to a fight between the brothers and Heath and Russ, accomplices in the kidnappings. Warren eventually captures the real sisters and explains his financial troubles to his family, unaware that he is being filmed. In the ensuing scuffle, Kevin is nearly shot while trying to protect Denise, and Latrell is shot while protecting Marcus/Tiffany. Kevin shoots Warren in the shoulder, and Marcus and Kevin capture him, while Gomez and Harper apprehend Heath and Russ. Afterward, their true identities are revealed.
The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with criticism levelled at its unconvincing prosthetics, racial and gender politics, and lack of humour. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $113.1 million worldwide against a budget of $37 million.
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It was nominated for five Razzies, including Worst Picture
The 2004 American buddy cop comedy film White Chicks was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film with his brothers, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. The film stars Marlon and Shawn as disgraced FBI agents who go undercover as white women to infiltrate a socialite gathering in the Hamptons and prevent a kidnapping.
Despite being a commercial success, grossing over $113.1 million worldwide, the film received generally negative reviews upon release. It was nominated for five Razzies, including Worst Picture, Worst Actress for the Wayans brothers in drag, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Screen Couple. It lost in all categories to Catwoman and Fahrenheit 9/11.
At the 2004 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, the film received several nominations, including Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst On-Screen Couple. Its only win was for Most Painfully Unfunny Romantic Comedy.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a low score of 15% positive reviews, with an average rating of 3.9/10. Film critic Richard Roeper put the film at #1 on his list of the worst films of 2004, while Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly called it "a tawdry excuse for a movie, but it has a handful of shameless giggles".
Despite the negative reception, White Chicks has become a cult classic, finding a second life on Netflix and sparking discussions of a possible sequel.
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The film grossed $113.1 million worldwide
The 2004 American comedy film White Chicks was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, who also co-wrote the film with his brothers, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans. The film grossed $113.1 million worldwide, against a budget of $37 million. In its opening weekend, the film made $19.7 million in the US, taking the number two spot at the box office. It went on to gross $70.8 million in the US and a further $42.3 million in other territories.
The film's commercial success is particularly notable given its critical reception. White Chicks received generally negative reviews from critics, with a rating of 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture. Despite this, the film has since become regarded as a cult classic, with some viewers praising its entertainment value and comedic elements.
The film's plot centres around two black male FBI agents who go undercover as white women to protect two hotel heiresses from a kidnapping plot. The premise has been described as "gender-bending" and a "fearless" send-up of 2000s pop culture. The Wayans brothers are known for their brand of comedy, which often involves exaggerated characters and social commentary.
However, the film has also been criticised for its unconvincing prosthetics and has faced accusations of racism. Some reviewers have described the film as "unfunny" and "derivative", with one critic suggesting that it required "a full frontal lobotomy" to enjoy.
Despite the mixed reception, the film's financial performance demonstrates its appeal to audiences, contributing to its status as a cult classic in the years following its release.
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Frequently asked questions
Marlon Wayans revealed that socialites and reality TV stars Paris and Nicky Hilton were the inspiration behind the film White Chicks. Wayans and his brother Shawn saw the Hilton sisters on a magazine cover, and the rest was history.
Although Marlon Wayans is said to have come up with the idea, he did so with his brother Shawn, who co-wrote and co-starred in the film.
Yes, the film was co-written and co-produced by Keenen Ivory Wayans, who also directed the film. Other writers include Xavier Cook, Andy McElfresh, and Michael Anthony Snowden.
