Not long after being named Best Actress of the year by New York Film Critics Circle for her riveting performance in Jordan Peele's US, Lupita Nyong’o has stated that she has no interest in contributing to a sequel.
“No thanks. Red is dead,” Nyong’o said while on stage for Deadline’s Contenders New York.
In Peele's social thriller, Nyong’o plays Adelaide Wilson, wife to Winston Duke's Gabe Wilson and mother to both Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and Jason (Evan Alex). She also takes on the role of Red, Adelaide's tethered counterpart and one of the story's main antagonists. When describing her experience while taking on both parts, Nyong’o described the process as being "very very very challenging.” With that in mind, one can understand why she's reluctant to return to the challenges that come with playing both characters. After all, we've all heard the stories about how actors can become consumed by the parts they play, and I would imagine that jumping between Adelaide and Red was rather taxing on Nyong’o's emotional and mental well being.
“I had to hold down both sides of the argument,” she explained to her audience at the DGA theater. “I had to be the offender and the offended. It was about understanding the emotional landscape of each character but also having a very strict discipline to play both physically and mentally.”
While having the ears of those in attendance at DGA, Nyong’o opted to speak on some of the deeper, darker themes related to Peele's latest feature.
“This movie is an externalization of our monster. It’s a movie that explores who we think of as the enemy. Often times we’re very eager to paint people across the border, or from a different religion, or a different creed, or culture, as the enemy. It’s easier to project that. But what happens when we look at ourselves? What are the enemies within ourselves?” Nyong’o theorized while giving those in attendance something to ponder.
“For me, what I found I related to was that identifying with that inner monster inside me.”
For the moment, we've not heard of any plans to create a sequel to US, nor do I think that we need one. Between you and me, I find that the movie works perfectly well as a standalone thriller. That said, if Peele wakes up one day and finds that he has something to add to the premise, I wouldn't be opposed to him exploring that idea. Personally, I think that Peele is "two for two," with regard to 2017's GET OUT and US being solid additions to his promising and blossoming career. As for Nyong’o, she's clearly established herself as a talent to watch, and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Let us know if you would like to see a sequel to US in the comments section below.