Jordan Peele’s career breakdown: what does it take to become an award-winning filmmaker

Jordan Peele’s is back with another chilling film, Candyman. The film is a sequel following the 1992 original. Jordan Peele takes the urban legend of the Candyman to new heights. The tale that was spread through word of mouth on the projects of Chicago is back to terrorise the neighbourhood.

The cast includes Yahya Abdul-Mateen II  ( who has starred in Jordan Peele’s Us) playing Anthony McCoy the lead character along with Teyonah Parris playing Brianna Cartwright who has starred in the award-winning film If Beale Street Could Talk. Other actors also include Nathan Stewart – Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa Williams and other brilliant actors.

Jordan Peele’s career

Jordan Peele began his career in 2002 performing at Boom Chicago and went on to host MTV’s weekend in 2002. Carrying on in the world of comedy Peele teamed up with fellow comedian Keegan Michael Key to create a comedy sketch show featured on comedy Central titled Key & Peele. The show got raving reviews and went on from 2012 to 2015 and has since continued to go viral. 

Venturing onto new challenges in 2017 Peele directed his first film Get Out. Turns out this is what Peele was made to do. Despite being a first-time director the film was polished, had depth and was well-executed. The film starring Daniel Kaluuya took the world by storm becoming one of the most profitable horror films, and films of 2017. Get Out grossed over $255 million on a budget of $4.5 million. Time magazine placed Get Out as one of the top 10 films of the year.

What does it take to become an award-winning producer and filmmaker like Jordan Peele?

“Part of what horror is is taking risks and going somewhere that people think you’re not supposed to be able to go, in the name of expressing real-life fears.”

“We go to the theatre to be entertained, but if what is left after you watch the movie is a sort of eye-opening perspective on some social issues, then it can be a really powerful piece of art.”

Jordan Peele highlights the importance of using films to share a deeper message, to give people a different perspective and leave them thinking long after the film has ended. This is what gets people investing and wanted to see more from your universe because in some way they can see it being reflected in real life. 

 Jordan Peele has had an incredible career that has inspired many thus far. As a filmmaker and actor Peele has never shied away from a challenge or new opportunities and has not let the world define him and put him in a box based on his previous work. Switching between Comedy and horror Jordan Peele has shown you really can try it all and see what works for you.

“I love biting off more than I can chew and figuring it out.”

Jordan Peele’s latest film Candyman  will be available to watch in cinema’s on the 27th of august