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In 2017, Jordan Peele surprised movie fans with his mega-hit Get Out, followed by this year’s equally impressive Us. With a track record made of molten hot fireballs, Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions has found a new partner in Universal Pictures. The deal is slated for five years, giving Universal exclusive rights to Peele’s next two films, which he’ll write, direct, and produce. The deal also includes production of other films that hope to elevate visionary directors.
Peele’s shown a profundity for creating films that reflect the climate of society, and Universal is hoping for more of the same as they partner with Peele and Monkeypaw. Aside from Peele’s own films, Monkeypaw produced Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman, which was nominated for six Academy Awards, taking home Best Adapted Screenplay and earning Lee his first Oscar.
Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman Donna Langley shared her thoughts on the new partnership:
“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. We also share 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.”
The next film up is Candyman—Peele’s sequel-ish to the 1992 horror film of the same name—slated for release in 2020.
Jordan Peele & His Monkeypaw Productions Ink Exclusive 5-Year Deal With Universal [Deadline]
