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Jordan Peele Explains the Inspiration Behind His New Movie Title, ‘Nope’

Ever since Jordan Peele released the first official trailer for his upcoming film, Nope, audiences have been theorizing about the storyline. Many have tried to figure out the true meaning behind the ominous movie title. And now, the famous horror director is giving some insight into what inspired the name choice.

At this year’s Cinemacon, Peele participated in a Universal Pictures panel and shared that the title relates to a viewer’s reaction to watching a horror movie in theaters.

“I love a rapt audience saying, ‘Nope!’ or, ‘Get out the house!’ I love to encourage that interaction because that’s what's giving the audience a unique experience,” he said, according to Entertainment Weekly. “Roller Coasters aren't fun alone. Being scared isn't fun alone. You need that energy.”

“The title speaks to the idea of being in tune with what the audience is thinking and feeling in the theater,” Peele added. “I know a lot of people who say when it’s a scary movie, they say, ‘Nope!’ Especially Black audiences, right? We love horror but there’s skepticism.”

Nope has big names like Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun in the ensemble cast. Although the film’s premise remains a mystery, we do know that Kaluuya and Palmer’s characters play horse trainers. But, after a mysterious cloud appears in the sky, the horror truly begins.

We really can’t wait for this one.

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Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

Karelle McKay is the Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment at PureWow. Before she started writing about all things pop culture, she was a literal couch potato who loved...