Jordan Peele reveals he wrote his Nope movie script with Daniel Kaluuya in mind for the lead role and explains why he wanted to reunite with the star. Alongside Kaluuya, the star-studded roster for Peele's return to the horror genre includes Hustlers' Keke Palmer, Invincible's Steven Yeun, Euphoria's Barbie Ferreira, The OA's Brandon Perea and The Three Musketeers' Michael Wincott. Nope centers on James and Jill Underwood, owners of the only Black-owned horse training ranch for Hollywood in an isolated California town as they and their fellow residents find their lives upended by a terrifying abnormal event.
Nope was first announced to be in the works in late 2020 as Peele and his Monkeypaw Productions banner reunited with Universal Pictures under his exclusive deal with the studio after the success of Get Out and Us. Production on the film kicked off the following June in Los Angeles and other areas of Southern California and would alter conclude in November. As Nope is gearing up to hit theaters this summer, those behind the film are offering new insight into its development.
While speaking with Empire for their latest print issue, Jordan Peele opened up about his upcoming reunion with Daniel Kaluuya for Nope. The writer/director revealed he wrote his new horror movie script with Kaluuya in mind specifically for his role, believing the star to bring a certain "warmth" to help keep audiences grounded amidst the film's chaos. See what Peele shared below:
"I wrote NOPE with Daniel in mind for the role – a humble man destined for an epic and otherworldly confrontation. Daniel’s craft is on a different level, but it’s his warmth that grounds audiences even during points of absolute madness. You may be watching a nightmare, but when he’s on screen, at least you’ve got your brother with you, and that’s all you need."
Though the star had begun making a name for himself in theater and on the small screen with Black Mirror episode "Fifteen Million Merits," it was Kaluuya's performance in Peele's Get Out that would serve as his breakthrough role in the film industry. Kaluuya received rave reviews for his ability to navigate the multiple tones of Peele's feature directorial debut and would subsequently receive awards season recognition, earning both a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for his performance in the film. Kaluuya's success in Get Out has further propelled him to heights with his work as W'Kabi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Black Panther, which he is reprising in the upcoming sequel, and portraying iconic revolutionary Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah, for which he earned an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.
As Peele notes in his reveal that he wrote his Nope movie script with Kaluuya in mind, the actor has become known for his ability to keep the audience grounded in a real-world story even as supernatural events occur around him. The trailers and marketing for Nope have built anticipation for the "absolute madness" Peele has in store for audiences next with the seeming extraterrestrial threat on Kaluuya and his co-stars. Only time will tell what's to come from the film and its characters when Nope hits theaters on July 22.
Source: Empire
