Jordan Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions have signed a five-year exclusive production deal with Universal Pictures, Donna Langley, Chairman of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, announced Tuesday.
Peele and Universal have collaborated on his 2017 film “Get Out” and his 2019 film “Us,” both of which he produced, directed and wrote. “Get Out” still holds the record as the highest-grossing movie ever for a feature debut from a writer/director with an original screenplay.
“Us” had the highest-grossing opening ever for an original horror film, the highest-grossing opening ever for an R-rated film, and the highest-grossing opening for a live-action original since 2009’s “Avatar.” Peele previously signed a first-look deal with Universal in 2017.
Under the new deal, Universal will develop Peele’s next two original films, which Peele and Monkeypaw will also produce under their banner. Monkeypaw’s credits include Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,”and is currently in production on “Candyman,” written by Peele and Monkeypaw president Win Rosenfeld. Nia DaCosta’s film will hit theaters on June 12, 2020.
“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,” Langley said. “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.”
Peele added, “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 and Monkeypaw Productions are represented by CAA, Principato-Young and Jared Levine.