Last year, I wrote about how Jordan Peele fans hoping for a swift return to the director’s chair may need to temper expectations.
Universal had penciled in an October 23, 2026 release date for Peele’s next film, but I warned you not to hold your breath—this date was more of a placeholder than a promise. Originally, Peele had something slated for December 25, 2024, but he scrapped that version and pivoted to something new. Then even that second script was tossed aside, as whispers suggested the filmmaker was back at square one, cooking up yet another idea.
One source had told me this sudden change in direction had nothing to do with the April 2025 layoffs at Peele’s Monkeypaw, which saw several staff members, including top development executives, being let go, likely due to industry-wide cutbacks and shifts in his deal with Universal.
Since then, that October 2026 date was predictably scrapped for Peele’s film, and there were no new updates about anything—until now. Jeff Sneider is hearing that, despite rumors he might shoot this year, Peele is — if you can believe it — still writing his next film.
No surprise, frustration is mounting at Universal, which had signed Peele to a multi-year deal that expired in late 2024 and was only recently re-upped for this next movie. Basically, a new deal between Universal and Peele could come down to how successful this next movie is.
Peele’s last outing, 2022’s “Nope,” divided audiences (I liked it) but nonetheless reinforced his reputation as a distinctive voice in genre filmmaking. Whatever he was working on post-“Nope” has seemingly vanished into the ether, further fueling speculation that Peele may be grappling with the pressures of following up a trilogy of ambitious original films.
There’s also the broader question of whether he’s aiming for something more grounded this time or doubling down on the high-concept territory that’s become his trademark. Sources close to the situation suggested that even Peele himself might not yet know exactly what this next project will be—despite being in the middle of writing it.