Marlon Wayans: I still want to play Richard Pryor

Marlon Wayans' new film "A Haunted House" is a spoof of films like "Paranormal Activity," which purport to be "found footage" movies - the kind that lead the audience to believe they're witnessing events that have been captured and later discovered.

"Because it's cheap," Wayans said, smiling. "It's inexpensive, and I wanted to figure out a way to do a low-budget comedy film. Found footage was the way to go because that's what this generation is used to so I wanted to capitalize on that."

Wayans stars as Malcolm, a man who, along with his wife, Keisha (Essence Atkins), moves into what is supposed to be their dream home. But after Keisha becomes possessed, the couple seek help and the funny ensues.

With a background that includes films like 'White Chicks" and "Scary Movie" - not to mention a pedigree as a member of a family that brought us "In Living Color" - Wayans knows comedy and prides himself on being a master of improv.

What audiences of "A Haunted House" will see is 70 percent script and 30 percent improv, Wayans said, adding that he's open to receiving his material from just about anyone.

"The person from craft services might say, 'You know what you should do?' and I'll listen," he said. Although "99.9 percent of the time it's really bad, every now and then someone will hit that and I'm like, 'That's funny.'"

Wayans is also co-producing a new BET show titled "Second Generation Wayans," which will star his nephews Damien Dante Wayans and Craig Wayans. He describes it as being like "Entourage" in that it will follow the scripted comedic exploits of the younger Wayans and their friends.

Holidays in the Wayans' house - with 10 children and a multitude of grandkids - is pretty hilarious, as you might imagine. But who's the funniest of the clan?

"My mother," Wayans said. "But only when she is cussing out my father."

There's one role which still eludes him - the long awaited biopic of legendary comedian Richard Pryor.

"I started out wanting to play a great and now I want to be a great," Wayans said. "Hopefully 'Haunted House' will do well. I raised the money to get this one done and hopefully we will get Pryor done."

"A Haunted House" arrives in theaters January 11.