Jordan Peele has come a long way from his sketch comedy days with Keegan-Michael Key. While Key & Peele made him a household name, his pivot to directing has cemented his status as one of Hollywood's most inventive filmmakers. But it's been over four years since his last directorial effort, and fans are eagerly awaiting his next project. Now, it turns out that Disney Animation is just as excited—if not more—about the prospect of Peele stepping into the world of animation.
During a recent interview at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Disney Animation's head, Jared Bush, was asked by Collider's Steve Weintraub if there was a dream filmmaker he'd love to collaborate with—someone not typically associated with animation. Bush didn't hesitate: "Oh my gosh. I need—immediately—for Jordan Peele to come to Disney Animation. That's what I need. Because one: Brilliant filmmaker. He takes very, very big chances. Bold storytelling. I'd love to see what he would do with a Disney Animated film."
Peele's directorial resume is short but mighty. His debut, Get Out (2017), was a cultural phenomenon, earning him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and grossing $259 million worldwide on a mere $4.5 million budget. He followed that with Us (2019), which also performed well at the box office, and then Nope (2022), a sci-fi horror epic that grossed over $170 million against a $68 million budget and racked up more than 45 awards and nearly 200 nominations. All three films are live-action, and Peele has yet to dip his toes into animation—but that hasn't stopped Disney from dreaming.
While Peele's next film remains shrouded in mystery, the idea of him bringing his unique vision to a Disney animated feature is tantalizing. His knack for blending social commentary with genre thrills could translate beautifully into animation, a medium that allows for even more imaginative storytelling. Imagine a Peele-directed animated film that tackles themes of identity, fear, or societal issues—all wrapped in Disney's signature visual splendor.
Disney Animation has been on a roll lately, with hits like Encanto and Moana captivating audiences worldwide. The studio is also expanding its streaming presence, with recent additions like the Moana live-action remake finding streaming redemption on Disney+. Adding a filmmaker of Peele's caliber would be a major coup, and Bush's comments suggest the studio is more than open to the idea.
Of course, Peele's schedule is packed. He's been producing and writing through his Monkeypaw Productions, and his next directorial project is still in development. But if Disney's wish comes true, we could see a collaboration that pushes the boundaries of animation. As Bush noted, Peele is a "brilliant filmmaker" who takes "very, very big chances." That's exactly the kind of creative energy Disney Animation thrives on.
For now, fans can revisit Peele's existing work, including Nope, which is currently streaming on Netflix. And with Disney+ continuing to grow its library, perhaps we'll see more of Peele's films join the platform. In the meantime, the prospect of a Jordan Peele animated movie is enough to get any cinephile excited. As Bush put it, "immediately"—we couldn't agree more.
