Jordan Peele: The Next Spielberg — Or Just Producing Too Many Duds?
Jordan Peele’s name is on the new film Him, but he didn’t direct it. Instead, Justin Tipping is the director, while the cast includes Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans. Meanwhile, Peele is credited on the project as a producer.
What is Him and who made it
The film Him stars Tyriq Withers as a rising football player and features Marlon Wayans in a supporting role. For more on the plot, see the Him synopsis.
Justin Tipping is credited as the director. Jordan Peele’s name appears on the project in a producing capacity, and reporting linked to the release discusses Peele’s involvement with the script.
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Why people compare Peele to Spielberg
After films like Get Out, Us, and Nope, critics and commentators began comparing Jordan Peele to Steven Spielberg. For example, some wrote about that comparison in an article on Quartz.
Both directors have used their influence to back other projects through production companies: Spielberg with Amblin Entertainment, and Peele with Monkeypaw Productions. Consequently, each has a mix of widely praised hits and other films that did not land as strongly with audiences or critics.
Spielberg production examples
Steven Spielberg is often credited with popularizing the summer blockbuster via Jaws. In addition, he executive-produced titles such as Three O’Clock High, We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story, and Cowboys & Aliens. Coverage about the production history of We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story appears in a long-form piece on Syfy, and contemporary reception of Cowboys & Aliens is documented on Rotten Tomatoes.
Later, Spielberg frequently attached his name to major franchise projects, including the Jurassic films, Indiana Jones, and other tentpoles where his production company had a formal role.
Peele’s producing résumé
As a director, Jordan Peele wrote and directed the films Get Out, Us, and Nope. Separately, he has produced or executive-produced a range of projects across film and television.
Examples of projects associated with Peele as a producer or executive producer include the comedies Keanu and the series The Last O.G.; the horror or thriller projects Hunters, Scare Tactics, and the 2019 Twilight Zone reboot; and collaborations with other filmmakers such as Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman and Dev Patel’s Monkey Man. Reporting around Monkey Man notes that Peele advocated for a theatrical release.
Additionally, Peele’s name is connected to the 2021 Candyman relaunch and to Him in a writing or producing role, depending on the credit listings and reporting.
Takeaway
In short, Jordan Peele is a prominent filmmaker and producer whose level of involvement varies by project. Meanwhile, the comparison to Steven Spielberg often centers on their mutual roles as influential filmmakers who also support other directors through production companies. Therefore, when Peele’s name appears on a project, audience expectations may reflect his directorial work even if his role on a given film is behind the scenes.
