10 Amazing Horror Movies That Almost Never Got Made
1. Get Out (2017)
It's funny to think that the legacy of Jordan Peele, one-half of the Key & Peele comedy duo and former Mad TV cast member, has become synonymous with auteur horror filmmaking. While once he was a comedian, he's now one of the genre's most prestigious creators, with his trilogy of films (Get Out, Us, and Nope) garnering plenty of acclaim. Still, there was a time when his venture into movie-making was a major risk, and it showed in the response he received when shopping Get Out around.
An interview with Fast Company saw Peele discuss the movie's initial reception from studios, with a myriad of them turning it down. However, the film wasn't just rejected; it was heavily criticised. Peele even claimed that one rejection letter called the film "Stupid," saying that "It won't work." That exec probably feels very silly now.
Get Out's heavy emphasis on social commentary and themes of racism seemed to leave many studios worried about the risk, something that, thankfully, Blumhouse and Universal were willing to gamble on. The risky movie was a huge success and launched the career of a director whose name is now deemed a sign of quality.