EJ Moreno with eight actors we need in Jordan Peele’s new film…
2026 seems like a long time away, but the wait for a new Jordan Peele movie is worth it. The filmmaker has set an October 2026 release date for his mysterious new project, and that gives us plenty of time to throw every actor’s name out there like it’s the Goblet of Fire.
We all have personal favorites we’d want to appear in Peele’s next film, either newcomers or veterans like, but the list I’ve collected includes some of the brightest and best names working today.
One of the only caveats for this list is that there will be no returning Jordan Peele actors. While Lakeith Stanfield and Keith David both need more time in one of Peele’s films, I want to find a collection of actors who fit the universes he builds so well without returning to the well.
With this introduction out of the way and absolutely no plot details to work with, here’s our fan castings for Jordan Peele’s next movie…
Sophie Wilde
In years, we haven’t seen a feature debut performance like what Sophie Wilde cooked up in Talk To Me. The Australian actresses stormed onto the scene starring in the Danny & Michael Philippou banger before joining the upcoming Watch Dogs film. She’s a budding name and a perfect fit for Peele’s horror delights.
While Wilde may not want to hit “Scream Queen” status with back-to-back massive horror releases, it would be unfair for the performer to slay the genre so hard once and never return. Peele could also push Wilde into the American movie scene with one signature role, pushing her to the Best Newcomer status she deserves.
Peele also knows how to use an actress to make it feel fresh, and Wilde could join iconic names like Lupita Nyong’o and Keke Palmer.
Luke James
Before seeing his work in Them: The Scare, Luke James wouldn’t have instantly made the list. While that’s no shade to his talents, horror never seemed like a fit for the handsome singer/actor. Then you see what he does in the Prime Video horror series, and you can’t think of casting a big-budget horror film without his name.
From his time in the music industry to being the hunk in a handful of films, James has done what he can to make a name for himself, but it finally feels like he’s coming into his own as an actor. Horror is not an easy genre to enter, but the sheer brilliance we saw in Them: The Scare tells us Luke James doesn’t fear the unknown.
After speaking to the actor, I can confidently say that James is one of the only names that would fit a lead, supporting, or antagonist role.
Octavia Spencer
Did I only put Octavia Spencer on this list because I love her in the criminally underrated horror film Ma? Well, no, but her turn in the Blumhouse film reminded us there are no bounds to her talents, and she needs more horror. Spencer is a prolific talent and has the passion for horror you’d want from a Peele-cast horror actor.
It’s not every day that you have a bonafide Academy Award winner who nails horror, especially campy horror, so well. Spencer understands the little quirks, charms, and subtle moments that make a big impression on you. With Peele’s pinpoint sharp writing and striking use of tone, there’s no doubt in my mind that Octavia Spencer is a fit.
She’s already got Pulse, Halloween 2, and, of course, Ma under her horror belt. None of those could hit like a Spencer X Peele collab.
Hiroyuki Sanada
There’s no shortage of brilliant performances from Hiroyuki Sanada that would justify casting him in Jordan Peele’s 2026 film, but he needs no justification. Sanada is here because he needs a proper horror film return ASAP. The legendary Japanese actor has had an incredible year with Shogun and needs a significant follow-up.
Where does Sanada fit into a Jordan Peele film? He is a fairly diverse performer who can do anything from delivering heaps of exposition (Army of the Dead) or kick-ass in an iconic role (Mortal Kombat), but what he hasn’t got to do is scare us in a long time. After busting onto the scene with Ringu, the return to horror is long overdue.
Mortal Kombat 2 is the only film he has set for the future, and it’s easy to see where an impactful role in Peele’s film could perfect this resume.
Zazie Beetz
It’s utterly shocking we haven’t seen the pairing of Zazie Beetz and Jordan Peele. She did star in an episode of his Twilight Zone reboot, but he was not the filmmaker behind the chair for that. Beetz is an incredible talent with a great range of skills and could easily dominate a lead or supporting role in whatever this could be.
Beetz can do surreal like we’ve seen in Atlanta, and she can do dark grim like Joker, but a mainstream scary movie has seemingly escaped her. Much like Palmer and Nyong’o, Beetz could fill in the crucial female lead role that Peele has begun to make himself known for. She even has a more sinister edge to her that the others lack.
It’s been a while since horror has had a proper bad girl, and depending on whatever Jordan Peele has in store for us, this is a good match.
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Over the last decade, Kelvin Harrison Jr. has done the grind from indie films to supporting roles in blockbusters. While he’ll have a mainstream moment voicing Scar in Mufasa: The Lion King, a leading role in a Jordan Peele film is an instant way to level up. Like Daniel Kaluuya before him, Peele could help birth a star.
With a flair for dramatic tension but a needed vulnerability, Kelvin Harrison Jr. is an excellent fit for horror. The actor’s breakthrough came in the forgotten 2017 horror film It Comes at Night. Harrison’s strengths weren’t used there, so just thinking of him in something like the tea cup from Get Out blows my mind.
Let’s see if this year’s Lion King prequel will boost his star enough to get him on the Jordan Peele radar.
Dev Patel
When the man himself already wants this, how can we deny it? Jordan Peele recently produced Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, and on that press tour, he revealed his desire to work with the actor. Upon further examination, it’s one of the best casting choices if we get the proper role and script. In actuality, any script would work.
We’ve already seen Patel’s name in contention for Reed Richards and James Bond, but the actor will strive in the original roles where he can make his name. Jordan Peele has turned actors into superstars, and while Dev Patel could be called a household name, a role in the 2026 event film is exactly the follow-up to Monkey Man he needs.
Patel already has a horror film in the works for 2025, so he could become our new Scream King, which wouldn’t be bad for horror.
Pam Grier
Do you want to talk about legends? Do you want to talk about icons? Pam Grier is not only Black Hollywood royalty but an icon of genre filmmaking overall. Much like Keith David in Nope, Grier could fill a genre legend casting that Peele has just scratched the surface for. Even in a small role, the magic this actress could add is unmatched.
As I’ve suggested before, Pam Grier could join her Them: The Scare co-star Luke James in it, or you could truly make it a one-woman show where Peele gives the iconic actress powerful monologue after powerful monologue. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and it’s criminal that we haven’t gotten at least one more major film role from Grier.
While Jordan Peele doesn’t have that Tarantino or Rob Zombie “Let’s Hire The Genre Legends” motif, he could easily star with Miss Pam Grier.
Who would you like to see working alongside Jordan Peele? Let us know on our socials @FlickeringMyth…
EJ Moreno
