The Story Behind How Jordan Peele’s Get Out Was Inspired By A Popular Eddie Murphy Stand-Up Joke

The Story Behind How Jordan Peele’s Get Out Was Inspired By A Popular Eddie Murphy Stand-Up Joke

As a gamer who’s been through countless hours of movies and games, I can confidently say that Jordan Peele has truly mastered the art of storytelling. His unique ability to blend comedy and horror is nothing short of remarkable. The fact that he was inspired by a stand-up joke from none other than Eddie Murphy just adds another layer of intrigue to his work.


For nearly seven years now, Jordan Peele has been a significant name in the entertainment world, transitioning from making us chuckle with his show “Key & Peele” to sending shivers down our spines with his horror movies. His directorial debut, the chilling and award-nominated film “Get Out“, may have left audiences on edge, but Peele’s comedic genius was never far behind – even the concept of the movie can be traced back to an amusing joke by Eddie Murphy in his stand-up routine.

When you think about it, comedy can be a great source if you’re looking for a bizarre film concept. After all, comedy bits tend to present to an audience worst-case scenarios experienced by the comedian that they can make light of years later. After looking in the direction of Eddie Murphy, a fellow comedic actor with stand-up experience, Jordan Peele took inspiration from one of his stand-up jokes to create the unsettling yet darkly humorous movie Get Out.

Eddie Murphy’s Stand-Up Joke That Inspired Get Out

In the chilling 2017 horror movie “Get Out,” a black man is introduced to a white woman’s family, but what follows isn’t as warm as one might expect – instead, a dark and twisted plot unravels. Unlike many directors who draw inspiration from classic horror films, Jordan Peele, a former comedian, was influenced by a stand-up performance by Eddie Murphy. Way back in 1983, Murphy donned his famous red suit for the comedy special “Delirious” and made a witty observation about white people’s roles in horror movies that helped shape Peele’s first original film.

In “The Amityville Horror,” a spirit warned them to leave the house, but some white individuals chose not to depart. That’s quite an unexpected twist, my friend.

Eddie Murphy humorously admitted that if a ghost whispered “get out” in his ear, he wouldn’t hesitate to depart immediately. However, unbeknownst to him at the time, he would later star in Disney’s “The Haunted Mansion,” where his character and family linger in a haunted house rather than leaving swiftly. A hasty exit would have made for a brief film if it followed that pattern. You can view the full stand-up joke below:

Jordan Peele Being a Fan of Eddie Murphy’s Joke Inspiring Get Out

1983 audiences were highly entertained by Eddie Murphy’s stand-up act in “Delirious,” and Jordan Peele, creator of Monkeypaw Productions, shared this sentiment while discussing his horror movie “Get Out.” In an interview with ET, he divulged that the film from Universal Pictures contains a nod to the actor from “Coming to America.” Here’s what he said:

Indeed, Eddie Murphy is discussing the disparity in reactions between a white household and a black household in a haunted house scenario. Some of the funniest moments ever recorded on screen can be found here, making it one of the most memorable comedic sequences of all time. In essence, it has left quite an impact on me as well.

The history of cinema has certainly displayed numerous instances of white families venturing into haunted dwellings. This makes it even more crucial for us to have filmmakers such as Jordan Peele, who are revolutionizing the genre of horror with their portrayal of black leads and ensuring that black characters survive and thrive in these stories.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share an intriguing tidbit about Jordan Peele: in an interview with ET, he unveiled some captivating behind-the-scenes facts about the creation of “Get Out.” He delved into various sources that fueled his inspiration, such as the 2008 Democratic primaries, which he used to shed light on the contentious issues of racial injustice. Moreover, Peele reminisced about his first encounter with his then-girlfriend’s white parents, recounting the eerie sensation of not receiving a reaction from them. These real-life experiences and an unforgettable stand-up routine turned out to be potent ingredients that contributed significantly to the success of his chilling horror debut film.

As a gamer, when I was on the hunt for ideas to fuel my creative journey, just like Jordan Peele, I got struck by Eddie Murphy’s comedic joke about white people ignoring clear warnings to leave haunted houses, shouting “Get out!” loud and clear. This sparked an idea in me that led to a chilling yet insightful horror film – Get Out. It turns out comedy can lay the foundation for a terrifying yet thought-provoking movie. So if you’re up for some gripping entertainment, don’t miss out on Get Out; it’s ready and waiting for you with your Hulu subscription!

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2024-08-22 15:39