Filmmaker Zach Cregger recently addressed questions surrounding the much-discussed Jordan Peele Monkeypaw Productions drama regarding his anticipated horror film, Weapons. The controversy ties back to a fierce studio bidding war in 2023 that left Monkeypaw Productions, headed by Jordan Peele, on the sidelines after New Line Cinema secured the project in a high-stakes deal.
Cregger’s Silence on Monkeypaw and Jordan Peele Tensions
Amid speculation about friction between Jordan Peele’s company and the Weapons team, Cregger was asked in a new IndieWire interview whether he would address reports that Peele dismissed an executive after Monkeypaw Productions failed to win the project. When directly questioned about this narrative, Cregger responded,
That’s not for me to talk about.
– Zach Cregger, Director
The filmmaker’s unwillingness to elaborate on the Jordan Peele Monkeypaw Productions drama leaves much to speculation, but highlights the high level of scrutiny surrounding Weapons and its competitive acquisition process.
How the Competitive Bidding War Unfolded
The pursuit of Weapons became one of Hollywood’s most closely watched business clashes of 2023. After Cregger’s first feature, Barbarian, gained massive acclaim, top studios raced to win his next horror story. Despite early interest from Monkeypaw Productions, the movie was ultimately secured by New Line Cinema in a deal reportedly worth eight figures—matching the scale of major franchise packages—and resulted in Monkeypaw being edged out.
Reflecting on this fierce period, Cregger explained that the situation granted him a degree of creative leverage rare for filmmakers early in their careers. He noted,
For ‘Weapons,’ I was very fortunate that I had a lot of interest from a lot of different buyers,
– Zach Cregger, Director
He continued,
When you’re in a situation like that, where you have multiple people bidding on the movie, you can basically list your demands, and whoever meets your demands gets your movie. Part of my demands were cast approval, final cut, and theatrical release.
– Zach Cregger, Director
Cregger’s confidence in these negotiations demonstrates the professional momentum he has achieved following Barbarian’s success, elevating his stature among contemporary horror filmmakers.
New Projects and Expanding the ‘Weapons’ Universe
Riding the wave of industry attention, Zach Cregger is recognized as a key figure in modern horror. His next major undertaking, Evil Resident, is scheduled to begin filming in the fall and already boasts a September 2026 release date. The director is also developing a prequel focused on Amy Madigan’s enigmatic character, Gladys, from Weapons. Cregger has revealed that several story ideas are actively being explored at various studios.
Discussing the direction of the Gladys prequel, Cregger expressed a desire to break with some familiar genre themes. He stated,
Look, how could you tell a horror story without some element of trauma being present? It’s a traumatic genre,
– Zach Cregger, Director
He further remarked,
However, I agree with you. The horror movie as a meditation on trauma or a meditation on grief… I am so ready to move beyond that. I’m not interested in telling a story that’s an examination or an indulgence of the ripple effects of trauma.
– Zach Cregger, Director
This pivot suggests that future entries in the Weapons universe may aim for a different emotional approach.
Reimagining Genre Expectations with Gladys Prequel
Instead of following the conventional path of horror films centered around loss and anguish, Cregger indicated that the Gladys prequel will take a fresher and lighter approach. He hinted at a distinct direction, explaining,
I have a really fun story with Gladys that happens before ‘Weapons,’ and I like it a lot,
– Zach Cregger, Director
He added,
To see Amy do this character in a different circumstance is really exciting. It makes me smile to think about it.
– Zach Cregger, Director
This suggests that viewers can anticipate a more playful or unexpected tone, driven by Amy Madigan’s performance, further distinguishing Cregger’s body of work from the current trend of horror as an extended meditation on trauma.
The Ongoing Impact of ‘Weapons’ and Cregger’s Future
With Weapons now available on HBO Max, its influence continues within both genre circles and industry conversations. The spectacle of its acquisition—particularly the intense Jordan Peele Monkeypaw Productions drama—underscored the project’s industry significance. As Zach Cregger moves forward with Evil Resident and the anticipated Gladys prequel, speculation remains about whether the tensions surrounding Monkeypaw and the competitive nature of studio deals will define or reshape horror filmmaking practices in Hollywood.
The next chapter for Cregger, Monkeypaw Productions, and the Weapons universe is poised to attract continued attention from both horror fans and Hollywood insiders, promising new creative directions alongside the lingering questions from the deal that put the spotlight on Jordan Peele and his production company.
