Comedic actor turned filmmaker Jordan Peele just cemented a five year deal with Universal pictures, Forbes reports.
Universal previously inked a two year deal with Peele for his most recent films Get Out (2017) and Us (2019), both of which grossed more than $250 million globally, winning Peele an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and making him the first Black writer-director to earn $100 million with a debut feature film.
The breakout success of Peele in films has made him somewhat of an authority on Horror Noire and the checks and opportunities keep pouring in. Under the new deal, Universal will green light Peele’s next two films while allowing his Monkeypaw Productions to still produce original content.
Donna Langley, chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group spoke on the partnership saying, “Jordan has established himself as a premier voice and original storyteller with global appeal. He is leading a new generation of filmmakers that have found a way to tap into the cultural zeitgeist with groundbreaking content that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.”
Peele echoed Langley’s excitement about the partnership saying, “It would not have been possible to make Get Out and Us without the endless trust and support we received from Donna Langley and the team at Universal. Their willingness to take risks and their commitment to original content makes them the perfect collaborative partner for Monkeypaw. I couldn’t be more excited for what lies ahead.”
Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions has already inked a first look TV deal with Amazon studios and recently launched The Twilight Zone reboot on CBS. The company is also working on a Candyman remake and Lovecraft Country, a new drama series coming to HBO.
Langley said that Universal “also [shares] an important goal with Monkeypaw when it comes to increasing representation on screen in the characters that are portrayed, the stories that are told and the people who tell them.”
Peele is a powerhouse when it comes to original content that resonates with all audiences while placing African Americans at the forefront. We look forward to his new projects and wish him continued success!
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