Trans and nonbinary actor, writer and director Benny Zielke is stepping into one of comedy horror’s most recognizable franchises with a role in Scary Movie 6, and the internet’s favorite parody franchise is officially back in business.
The upcoming Paramount Pictures release hits theaters worldwide June 5, bringing audiences back into the absurd universe that helped define early-2000s parody films. This time, the movie reunites original stars including Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Faris, Regina Hall and Sherri Oteri for another round of blood-soaked nonsense.
According to the film’s synopsis, the story picks up 26 years after the original survivors escaped a suspiciously familiar masked killer. Naturally, things spiral fast. The sequel spoofs a wave of modern horror favorites and pop culture obsessions, from Stranger Things and Smile to Longlegs, John Wick and The Substance.
And tucked inside all the screaming, satire and suspiciously bad decisions is Zielke, part of a new generation of cast members entering the franchise’s wildly chaotic orbit.
Building A Career Beyond The Screen
While Scary Movie 6 may introduce Zielke to a wider mainstream audience, they’ve already been carving out space in indie film and queer storytelling circles for years.
The performer is the founder of 1901 Productions, an indie production collective focused on original projects and character-driven narratives. Through the company, Zielke helped produce short films, a feature anthology and the web series Method, while continuing to expand their own work as a filmmaker.
Their previous screen credits include Wrong Bathroom and Purity Camp, projects that explored identity, belonging and queer experience through a more grounded lens than the over-the-top comedy of Scary Movie.
In a media landscape still catching up on authentic LGBTQ+ representation behind the camera, Zielke’s creative mission stands out. The actor-filmmaker has spoken about wanting to amplify underrepresented voices while challenging assumptions around whose stories are allowed to take center stage.
That perspective feels especially notable inside a franchise built on flipping conventions upside down.
From Theater Kid To Horror Spoof Chaos
Long before Hollywood came calling, Zielke was already immersed in performance and storytelling.
They earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting from Millikin University, where they also studied music and creative writing. During college, Zielke took on leadership roles within the arts department and directed a production of tick, tick… BOOM! at the Station Theatre.
After relocating to the West Coast, Zielke secured representation with RyanTresdaleMGMT and Paloma Model & Talent while continuing to grow their producing career.
That mix of acting, directing and producing has become increasingly common among emerging queer creatives navigating Hollywood on their own terms. Instead of waiting for opportunities, many are building them independently first, then bringing that experience into larger studio projects.
The Wayans Return To Stir The Pot
The new film also marks a major return for the Wayans family, whose original Scary Movie films became cultural staples by roasting horror tropes, celebrity culture and whatever else happened to be dominating headlines.
If the latest synopsis is any indication, Scary Movie 6 plans to continue that tradition with zero restraint.
The promotional tagline promises that “nothing is sacred” and “every line gets crossed,” which honestly sounds exactly like what longtime fans would expect.
For queer horror fans especially, Zielke’s casting adds another layer of excitement to a franchise that has always thrived on outsider humor, camp energy and chaotic ensemble chemistry.
Whether audiences show up for Ghostface jokes, nostalgia or pure curiosity over how The Substance gets spoofed, one thing is clear: Benny Zielke is entering the mayhem at exactly the right moment.
