TORONTO: More than two decades after Scary Movie 3 became part of his Hollywood journey, Simon Rex is discovering the pleasures of a different kind of filmmaking.
The actor, who built a following through comedy and his early MTV days, is increasingly drawn to independent cinema, where the stories are smaller, the risks can be greater and the experience of bringing a film to life can be markedly different from working on a major studio production.
At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Rex spoke to Rohan Dua for The Global Envoy about his evolution as an actor, his growing interest in independent films and the possibility of connecting with audiences far beyond Hollywood, including a devoted fan base in India.
For many viewers, Rex remains associated with the irreverent comedy of the Scary Movie franchise. But he sees those years as one chapter in a career that continues to evolve.
“Scary Movie was shot 23 years ago, so it was a lifetime ago,” he said, referring to the film era that began in the early 2000s. “Those movies are so much fun. I think those are all over the world.”
Rex said he loved working on big studio comedies, but his recent experiences have drawn him towards independent productions and the festival circuit.
“I love doing those big studio comedies, but I love doing these independent movies at the festivals like this. They’re so special,” he said, referring to projects including Red Rocks and God Bless You, Mr Kopu.
“Lately I’ve been doing more small independent movies, which are so much fun,” he added.
An unexpected connection with India
During the conversation, Dua told Rex that his films had developed a generational following in India, particularly among audiences who encountered his comedy through repeated television broadcasts over the years.
The revelation appeared to surprise the actor.
“Oh really?” Rex responded when told about his Indian fan base.
After Dua explained that audiences had continued to watch his films through repeat telecasts, Rex replied: “Oh cool, I didn’t know.”
The exchange offered a glimpse into the unpredictable life of a Hollywood comedy beyond its original release. Films made for one generation can find another audience thousands of miles away, long after their theatrical runs have ended.
Asked about his familiarity with Indian culture and whether he hoped to connect with Indian fans, Rex was candid about what he knew and what he still had to discover.
“Well, I appreciate that. I mean, it’s billion human beings (from India),” he said. “I can’t say I know, unfortunately. I’ve never been to India.”
He admitted that he did not know much about Bollywood films, but expressed an interest in learning more.
“I don’t know too much about Bollywood movies. I need to study,” he said. “But I love Indian food, and every Indian person I meet is so lovely, so I need to visit one day.”
For an actor whose work has travelled through television and popular culture, India represents a potential new audience as well as a destination he has yet to experience firsthand.
The mystery of what comes next
At TIFF, Rex was also looking ahead to the next phase of his career. With God Bless You, Mr Kopu drawing attention at the festival, Dua asked whether the film might open a new chapter for him or lead him towards projects similar to those he had pursued earlier in his career.
Rex was reluctant to predict what might happen.
“You never know,” he said. “All you could do is make good movies, put them out into the world and see what happens.”
He was pleased with how the film had turned out and was content to let audiences decide what came next.
“I’m just happy this movie came out so good, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
“It’s a mystery. It’s a big mystery.”
That uncertainty seems to be part of the appeal.
Rex has moved through different phases of entertainment, from MTV and broad studio comedy to independent films seeking audiences at international festivals. Rather than committing himself to a particular formula, he appears willing to follow the projects that interest him.
As the conversation drew to a close, Dua returned to Rex’s early career, asking about his journey from MTV and comedy into acting.
At TIFF, Rex was less interested in defining what comes next than in enjoying the process of making films and allowing them to find their audience.
For an actor whose earlier work continues to resonate with viewers far beyond the United States, the next chapter may yet bring another unexpected turn. As Rex himself put it, the future remains a mystery — and, for now, he seems perfectly happy to leave it that way.
