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On Monday, after the record-breaking opening weekend premiere of his second hit film, “Us,” Jordan Peele sat down in front of a “diverse set of 20-something improve students, aspiring storytellers and fans” to discuss a slew of topics, including the impact of minority actors, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In fact, during his discussion at the improv Mecca Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, Peele even opened up about how fortunate he was to have a position of power, in which he’s able to offer opportunities to more black actors and actresses.
“The way I look at it,” he said. “I get to cast black people in my movies. I feel fortunate to be in this position where I can say Universal, ‘I want to make a $20 million horror movie with a black family.’ And they say yes.”
With that mighty power, Peele also revealed that he may not ever cast a white man as lead, in any of his movies. Not because he doesn’t like white men, but because it’s already been done….a lot.
“I don’t see myself casting a white dude as the lead in my movie,” Peele said. “Not that I don’t like white dudes. But I’ve seen that movie. It really is one of the best, greatest pieces of this story, is feeling like we are in this time – a renaissance has happened and proved the myths about representation in the industry are false.”
Elsewhere in the discussion, Peele opened up about listening, ego and marijuana, and how using and managing all three, helped him along his journey as a creative.
“Nothing is more important,” Peele told the audience of the art of listening. “The more you are armed with what you take in, the more ammo you have.”
“You have to shelve it,” he added of learning when to listen to his ego. “You have to check it constantly. It’s so easy for it to come out and rear its ugly head. The ego is deceptive, and it will screw you up.”
As for marijuana, he explained how a contract with MadTV forced him to forgo his dream opportunity with Saturday Night Live, which in turn, led to a smoke fest and a ton of creating, which then opened his eyes to his dreams of becoming a producer.
Thus, “Get Out” was born.
Now, just two years after the record-breaking release, Peele is on his way to, yet, another cultural phenomenon with “Us,” which has already surpassed “Get Out” in its opening weekend.
