According to a new report by The InSneider, acclaimed director Jordan Peele recently had a meeting with Marvel Studios about directing one of their future films. While the specific project remains under wraps, speculation is already buzzing: could it be X-Men, Blade, or perhaps Midnight Sons?
Though it was just a meeting, it signals that Peele might be open to exploring beyond his original storytelling and venturing into the world of high-profile intellectual property filmmaking. As Jeff Sneider suggests, Peele may be ready to enter the “lucrative world of IP filmmaking.”
Peele’s reputation, which soared after his Academy Award-winning debut Get Out, has faced challenges with his subsequent projects. Us performed well at the box office but didn’t receive the same critical acclaim. His latest film, Nope, was his most expensive to date but also the lowest-grossing of his three directorial efforts.
On the production side, Peele has encountered setbacks as well. Monkey Man failed to make a significant impact at the box office, HBO’s Lovecraft Country was canceled after one season, his reboot of The Twilight Zone did not achieve expected success, and Candyman, directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Peele, barely broke even.
The potential collaboration with Marvel suggests that Peele might be considering a shift towards big-budget blockbusters, similar to directors Barry Jenkins and Ryan Coogler, who have found success with Disney. Given Marvel’s resources, they would likely offer substantial financial incentives for Peele to direct one of their major films.
Despite recent challenges, Peele remains a highly talented filmmaker with a distinctive vision. His groundbreaking debut with Get Out in 2017 established him as a significant force in Hollywood, and his subsequent films, Us and Nope, while not as universally lauded, were noted for their ambition and originality.
This news raises questions about Peele’s next directorial project, which was scheduled for release on December 25, 2024. However, due to the impact of the 2023 strikes, Universal quietly removed it from their release schedule. Whether Peele’s next project will be an original film or a Marvel blockbuster remains to be seen.