Jordan Peele made history when his horror film, Get Out sold over $100 million at the box office. Peele is now the first Black writer-director to cross that mark with a debut film, realizing a dream the comedian-actor has worked towards for years.
Peele, 38, announced plans to make horror films back in 2015. When Get Out was cast that year and filmed in 2016, few could have predicted the social and critical impact the movie would have. Currently, the film has made over $176 million worldwide, a staggering contrast to the $4.5 million the film was made for.
While it relies heavily on horror elements, Get Out serves as a metaphorical look at race’s role in modern society. British actor Daniel Kaluuya starred in the main role as Andre Hayworth, portraying a wide range of acting skills alongside an expert but largely unknown cast. FX’s Atlanta star LaKeith Stanfield also makes an appearance.
Peele, a 38-year-old New York City native, got his start in sketch comedy in the Boom Chicago in The Netherlands, and the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. In 2003, Peele joined the cast of Mad TV and met his future comedy and film partner, Keegan-Michael Key on the set. The pair starred in their own Emmy Award-winning sketch comedy series, Key & Peele, which ended in 2016. The funnymen have one movie together under their belt, Keanu, and are still working on new projects as a duo.
