Exploring Jordan Peele's Influence in Film and Television: From 'Get Out' to 'Us'

Jordan Peele has been busy with various TV and movie projects under his production company, Monkeypaw Productions.

He began his career in sketch comedy on Fox's MAD TV series and later teamed up with Keegan-Michael Key for collaborations, such as the popular show Key & Peele.

After establishing his film and TV production company in 2012, Peele shifted his focus to writing and directing highly praised movies like Get Out, Us, and Nope. Peele has also made appearances in many of his projects and has been involved in producing TV shows like Hunters and The Twilight Zone.

During a Q&A session in 2019, Peele shared his perspective on what he values most in his work. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to feature Black actors in his films, stating, "I feel lucky to have the ability to advocate for Black representation in my movies. I am fortunate to have the support of studios like Universal, who are willing to back a $20 million horror film centered around a Black family."

He mentioned that he prefers not to cast a white male as the main character in his films, not because he dislikes them, but because he believes in the importance of diversity and representation in the industry. Peele expressed his views on the significance of showcasing different perspectives and voices in storytelling, especially in a time where there is a resurgence of creativity and breaking down of stereotypes.

Check out some of Peele's most notable works throughout his career:

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube (2); HBO; Prime Video

Exploring Jordan Peele's Diverse TV and Movie Projects

Jordan Peele, the creative mind behind hits like "Get Out" and "Nope," has showcased his talent through various TV and movie projects produced under his company, Monkeypaw Productions.

Peele began his career in sketch comedy on Fox's MAD TV series. He teamed up with Keegan-Michael Key, with whom he worked on various projects, including Key & Peele.

In 2012, Peele established his own film and TV production company and shifted his focus to writing and directing highly praised movies like Get Out, Us, and Nope. He has also made appearances in many of his projects and has produced several TV shows, such as Hunters and The Twilight Zone.

Peele shared his priorities in his work during a 2019 Q&A, emphasizing his ability to cast Black people in his movies. He feels fortunate to have the opportunity to propose making a $20 million horror movie featuring a Black family to Universal, who supports his vision.

He explained that he chooses not to cast a white man as the lead in his films, not because he dislikes them, but because he wants to offer something different. Peele believes that the current time represents a renaissance in the industry, debunking the myths about representation and showcasing the importance of diversity.

Keep scrolling for Peele's greatest hits over the years:

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'Keanu'

After starring together in their sketch TV series for five seasons, Peele and Key teamed up again on screen to portray cousins on a mission to rescue their kidnapped kitten by going undercover in a gang. The movie "Keanu" was released in 2016 and also starred Tiffany Haddish, Method Man, Nia Long, Will Forte, and Keanu Reeves.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'Get Out'

In 2017, Jordan Peele made his directorial debut with the movie Get Out. He not only directed the film but also wrote and produced it. The movie featured a talented cast including Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, LaKeith Stanfield, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, and Catherine Keener. Mixing elements of horror and comedy, Get Out tells a powerful story about racism. The film has been highly praised and even won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'The Last O.G.'

A man named Tracy Morgan plays a convict in the TBS series. After serving a 15-year sentence, he is released and goes back to Brooklyn. However, he realizes that his neighborhood has changed a lot during his time away. To add to his surprise, he discovers that his ex-girlfriend, played by Haddish, is now raising their children with someone else.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'BlacKkKlansman'

Peele collaborated with Spike Lee, Jason Blum, and other producers to create the 2018 film. BlacKkKlansman, adapted from a 2014 memoir, follows a Black detective (John David Washington) as he works to infiltrate and uncover the activities of the local Ku Klux Klan chapter.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'Us'

In 2019, Peele took on the roles of director, writer, and producer for the film Us. The story follows a family who is abducted by evil look-alikes known as the “Tethered,” with Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke playing the main couple who are the prime targets.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube Originals

'Weird City'

In 2019, a new anthology series called Weird City premiered on YouTube. It takes viewers to a near future where a city is split into two parts based on economic status. The show boasts a talented cast, with familiar faces like Dylan O'Brien, Ed O'Neill, LeVar Burton, Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, Mark Hamill, Laverne Cox, Sara Gilbert, Steven Yeun, and Yvette Nicole Brown.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: Prime Video

'Lorena'

The 2019 true-crime docuseries delves into the infamous case of John and Lorena Bobbitt. Lorena gained notoriety in the '90s for cutting off John's penis with a knife while he was asleep. She was found not guilty by reason of insanity. John underwent successful surgery to have his penis reattached.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: Paramount/YouTube

'The Twilight Zone'

Peele's reimagined version of the original Twilight Zone series ran for two seasons until it concluded in 2021. The show covered a diverse range of themes such as the supernatural, racism, social issues, and alien invasions.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'Candyman'

Peele collaborated with director Nia DaCosta to create the 2021 film Candyman. This supernatural horror movie follows an artist delving into the history of Candyman and his ties to Chicago's housing projects.

The cast of Candyman includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and Colman Domingo. Vanessa Williams, Virginia Madsen, and Tony Todd also return to reprise their roles from the original film.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: Prime Video

'Hunters'

In the 2020 series Hunters on Prime Video, a varied group of Nazi hunters reside in New York City during the 1970s. The show, executive produced by Peele, stars actors like Logan Lerman, Al Pacino, Jerrika Hinton, Lena Olin, Saul Rubinek, Carol Kane, and Josh Radnor.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: HBO

Lovecraft Country

Lovecraft Country is a TV series on HBO that is based on a novel with the same title. The story follows a young Black man in the 1950s who embarks on a journey across the segregated United States to find his father who has gone missing. The cast of the 2020 series includes talented actors such as Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance, and more.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'Nope'

In the 2022 film "Nope," Kaluuya and Keke Palmer portray siblings who wrangle horses and try to gather proof of a UFO that poses a threat to their home. The movie, directed, written, and produced by Peele, also features Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea, and Keith David in starring roles.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: Netflix/YouTube

'Wendell & Wild'

Based on a screenplay from Peele and Henry Selick, Wendell & Wild focuses on devious demon brothers as they face off with their enemy.

Breaking Down Jordan Peele s Extensive TV and Movie Empire

Credit: YouTube

'Monkey Man'

The action thriller 'Monkey Man' follows Kid (played by Dev Patel), a young man who funds his way into the elite social circles of India's rich and corrupt by participating in underground fight clubs. Kid's primary drive is to avenge his mother's death, but in the end, he transforms into a hero who defends the oppressed and marginalized individuals who suffer under the rule of their oppressors.

Patel not only starred in Monkey Man but also directed, wrote the script, and produced the film. Originally purchased by Netflix, the 2024 movie was later brought to Universal by Peele through his Monkeypaw company.

Editor's P/S:

Jordan Peele's artistic vision has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. As a visionary filmmaker and producer, he has consistently showcased his commitment to diversity and representation, both on-screen and behind the camera. Peele's storytelling prowess lies in his ability to craft thought-provoking narratives that delve into social issues while also captivating audiences with their originality and suspense.

Peele's unwavering advocacy for Black representation in his works is both inspiring and necessary. By featuring Black actors in leading roles and portraying them in nuanced and complex ways, he challenges stereotypical depictions and opens up opportunities for underrepresented voices. His recognition of the importance of diversity extends beyond the casting process, as he actively supports projects created by and for people of color. It is refreshing to witness a filmmaker who uses his platform to amplify marginalized voices and promote inclusivity in the entertainment landscape.