Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers took to the CinemaCon stage, bringing a unique blend of humor and intrigue to their upcoming football-themed horror movie, Him. Their on-stage dynamic instantly captured the audience’s attention as they playfully slipped into character. Wayans, adopting a commanding persona, jokingly asserted his authority over Withers. “Did I say it was time to talk, Withers?” he quipped, before demanding, “Drop down and give me 20.”
Adding a touch of comedic misdirection, Wayans likened their film, directed by Justin Tipping, to a classic, feel-good sports drama from the 90s, saying, “It’s kinda like Rudy.” However, Withers quickly corrected him. He emphasizes the film’s darker nature. “It’s nothing at all like ‘Rudy,'” he retorted, adding that Him is “something that burrows under the skin.”
The First Look Trailer
The audience was treated to a glimpse of the film with a first-look trailer, which remains exclusive to CinemaCon attendees. In the trailer, Wayans’ character delivers a chilling line: “You have to ask yourself, ‘What am I willing to sacrifice?'” The footage was reportedly filled with ominous imagery. It also references injury and danger and explores the dark side of ambition.
What to Expect
Him, a horror flick produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, centers on an up-and-coming quarterback, played by Withers, who is drawn into the orbit of an aging, enigmatic player, portrayed by Wayans. The film promises to delve into the perilous journey to achieve success at any cost. The ensemble cast also includes Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, Guapdad 4000, and Tierra Whack.
The screenplay, penned by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, had previously garnered acclaim, landing on the prestigious Black List of best unproduced screenplays. Peele, along with Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, and Jamal Watson, serves as a producer on the film. Peele is also currently working on an untitled Universal feature scheduled for release on October 23, 2026.
Described as a “blood-chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, power, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost,” Him promises to be a thought-provoking and unsettling exploration of ambition’s dark side under the direction of Justin Tipping.
Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions recently released Monkey Man, starring Dev Patel, which we called a “must-see.” It further solidified their reputation for delivering unique and compelling narratives. Peele is also collaborating with video game legend Hideo Kojima on a highly anticipated, yet-to-be-revealed horror game. This is not Wayans’ only upcoming film. He is reteaming with his brothers for the horror-comedy Scary Movie 6.
Coming this Summer
Originally titled “GOAT” and slated for a 2024 release. However, the movie was delayed due to the Hollywood labor strikes. Fans can now anticipate a chilling cinematic experience when it arrives in theaters on September 19.
