Writers Roundtable: Jordan Peele, Rian Johnson, Daniel Kwan, Tony Kushner & More | THR Roundtables
Chinonye Chukwu (Till), Daniel Kwan (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Jordan Peele (Nope), Martin McDonagh (The Banshees Of Inisherin), Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Tony Kushner (The Fabelmans) joined The Hollywood Reporter to talk about their respective projects.
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Writers Roundtable: Jordan Peele, Rian Johnson, Daniel Kwan, Tony Kushner & More | THR Roundtables
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Jordan's reaction while Daniel is describing putting everything into the movie in case he doesn't get another chance to make another film is everything. As I write my first book I am feeling this with my soul.
What's the book about?
@@qcrew2938 I'll let you know when I get further along. Genre is science fiction -- it's a novel idea (pardon the pun) so I don't want to give it away just yet.
I hope we get to read your book someday! I'm rooting for you!
@@user-cy9dk6kk7z Thank you! I hope you get to read it someday as well.
Time?
Man watching Peele as Daniel Kwan explains "hat on a hat" is so great cuz that knowing smile of Peele's because "Key and Peele's" entire show run was like 99% amazing and brilliant "hat on a hat" sketches.
"I said - I said... biiiiii...."
Quite literally even with the hilarious K&P “Dueling Hats” sketch. 🤣👌🏽
You said it though@@futurestoryteller
Jordan peele is overrated
my heart just swells seeing Daniel Kwan talking about his craft and inspiring the other veteran writers in the room, especially from a director duo with only a viral music video and one cult classic film to their belt before EEAAO. you can just tell that the Daniels' work and the atmosphere they create is full of heart, humanity and humility. and lots of fun.
Yeah, this was my first time seeing him and I really liked him and found him to be a genuine, smart and thoughtful guy.
They have a style that doesn't seem to have boundaries while also writing a very tight narrative. I just imagine that their style must require writing something enormous and boundless before buckling down and trimming it into a compelling narrative.
I love that Tony Kushner is basically Adam Sandler’s character in Uncut Gems.
MAN I THOUGHT THE SAME THING
Daniel Kwan is just on a whole other level as far as intellect and enlightenment. Makes sense how he wrote such a bizarrely beautiful movie
I didn’t think I would like EEAAO but it ended up being my movie of the year (so far). Such a breath of fresh air
yeah I don't even like EEAAO that much and I admire him, I think my favourite movie right now is Swiss Army Man
Yeah
EEAAO was the best film I saw of 2022. It made me think and even rethink about my life. I hate throwing around the word masterpiece because it has lost its true value in recent years, but EEAAO is a bonafide masterpiece.
why?
Chinonye and Jordan giving each other their flowers is SUCH A MOMENT
Yeah that was great to see.
💯
Mmhh
Man, I can listen to Jordan Peele talk about cinema for hours. What a legend.
lol
@@theaddictofgaming9174 “well actually…” 🙄
@@theaddictofgaming9174 why does the OP’s claim matter to you in any way? If they think Peele is a legend, that’s their perspective. Everyone doesn’t have to agree with you and you don’t have to agree with everyone
@@syds8752 Then why does it matter to you that he is laughing? He should be entitled to do so...
@@zepekit what are you even talking about? Lmao
Everything Everywhere and NOPE are my two favorite movies this year. I really hope they don’t get ignored by the Oscars
Totally agree dude
EEAAO will get plenty of Oscar attention, Nope absolutely won't.
@@romilrh EEAAO should win every f-ing award there is including two best actress awards and best support for JLC. I like a lot of things about NOPE (own both on UHD BR) but I can't say where it really stood out in. Maybe some technical awards.
@@curtisbme Nope had some of the best sound design I've heard in years, but unfortunately Top Gun will probably take that
@@romilrh Yeah, the sound was pretty incredible in how it drove the feeling. But I'm just have no ability to say what is outstanding in one movie over another in categories like that.
“The hand thing? Was that improv?” “Oh no, that’s just a Black thing.” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Great round table. Loved hearing what these talented writers had to say. 🙏🏾
Yeah that was funny. :D That was so distinctive and at the same time so relateable, as Jordan said, because it captures the relationship between siblings, which everyone knows, so well. That and many other scenes too, of course.
i was looking for this comment!! loved it!
Imagine if white people did something and said "that's a white thing"
@@senorpoodles1755 imagine watching something wholesome on the internet and not trying to victimize yourself.
@@senorpoodles1755 uhh what are you trying to say? No one would object to that.
I worked on Everything Everywhere All At Once for 1 day during pre-production via location scouting with the Daniels, etc. (and was also at the company's office the next day). Daniel Kwan's sense of humor, etc. leaped on screen, great guy and conversationalist (during lunch, etc.). I also met Rian during the Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery U.S. premiere, humble and very friendly person 👌.
My grandparents have lived in simi since the 1950s, so funny to see it on screen. Somehow felt like the perfect location for that story.
@@economicurtis That laundromat is in Simi Valley, we were there for an hour or so. Love Simi Valley. Thanks for watching.
That’s dope
Please stop lying!
@@bestfunnyshortvids1680 what’s so hard to believe about this? Lots of people work on these kind of movies, and before you opened your mouth you could have done a cursory IMDB check to see that this guy is credited as a production assistant. Smh
Bro, I'm 20 minutes in and this is the best roundtable roster I've ever seen. It's overwhelming how much overlap there is, not only with the films they're discussing, but the careers of everyone involved. Two prominent black writer/directors with distinct voices and opinions on the black body, two otherworldly distinguished playwrights, and then Rian johnson + Daniel Kwan whose films & styles contain echoes of Spielbergs career as an imagemaker (not to mention his heavy influence on Peele), and sitting right there is Kushner who literally wrote a movie about the genesis of Spielberg's imagemaking identity. McDonagh wrote a movie about what it means to create and how often, while Peele is contending with the very means of creative exploitation in his own film. This conversation is literally Everything Everywhere All At Once. There's so many reasons why this table is meant to be in one room.
Great comment dude
Martin McDonagh is such an underrated writer. 3 Billboards was incredible and the Banshees of Inisherin was such a great mix of humor, grief and loneliness.
"I doubt I was lovely." "You were very lovely about me." "Well, what other way is there to be about you?" In Bruges was always one of my favorite movies and I'd somehow forgotten that recently, but that one especially is what they're talking about when they talk about just how deliberately structured his movies feel. Everything comes back around at the end. It's crazy.
And In Bruges is brilliant as well. There’s a video on KZhead that explains how it doesn’t waste a second
Hearing the passion Daniel Kwan has behind his art and the urgency and importance of his stories balanced with Jordan Peele's introspection and depth has been such a treat. This video introduced me to Chinonye Chukwu and I'm very pleased to hear her insights behind her film considering I personally didn't think the story should be told. I will now be watching with an open mind
Thanks for putting everything that felt while watching these 3 individuals into words. Totally agree with everything you said!
why is she so loud
@@kenilmonpara6320 huh?
Why did you think the story shouldn’t have been told ?
@@serendiggiity6506 Why did you think the story shouldn’t have been told ?
Daniel Kwan is one of the kindest humans. To struggle with anxiety and push through to make such awe-inspiring film work... That is inspiring and moving.
6:29 I was one of those Boston kids at the summer camp when the Daniels met! I remember they were teaching us improve, and they had so much chemistry. They were dramatic, funny, and thoughtful even back then.
I'm glad Phil Lord and Chris Miller were mentioned. We should have a roundtable of animation directors and writers because Animation is FILM!
What an amazing idea 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I really hope they see your comment!!
@@Nigerian373 There's so much talk about Cinema being in decline meanwhile animation is better than ever-- Arcane, Primal, Del Toro's Pinocchio
These roundtables are so fulfilling in a way, I love when bright people have chemistry
Yes it's so satisfying to watch.
#InterestingInterestedPeople
I could listen to Peele and Daniel responses all day.
Big props to Daniel Kwan for highlighting Park Chan-wook, who by the way may be nominated as Best Director for Decision to Leave.
Jordan Peele makes me smile by existing. Absolutely love him.
Totally understand what daniel is saying about wanting to put everything into a picture because it might be my last. Very inspiring video
My key takeaway from this roundtable discussion is that none of these directors (/writers) talk down to their audience and that's what makes them great at what they do.
This series is one of the best things about awards season! Love hearing from so many different perspectives in the filmmaking process.
My 1st experience with Tony Kushner was "Angels in America", and I was so profoundly moved by it that I've always thought of it's author as The Great TONY KUSHNER! Seeing him here, fangirling and being so stoked to learn from everyone at this table, makes me appreciate all of them that much more.
As a writer myself this roundtable fills my heart with joy seeing the passion and respect between them all. I watch these often but this year's is amazing
I wish you great success and even greater satisfaction within your work. Support local and/or independent art and artists!
@@mud5377 thank you so much! I wish you much joy and happiness through all your endeavors
Kwan, re. writing as partners ~ "We fail faster..." SO amazing. As Truman Capote said, all great writing is dependent on our ability to jettison our darlings...
EEAAO needs to win Best Picture, not just Best Original Screenplay. No other movie THIS year has caused as much conversation, or been universally loved as much as EEAAO.
My personal fav was Nope, but I whole heartedly agree with you
No, it needs to win all the awards. Including the first ever double award for best actress. Very much dislike that Stephanie will likely have be put in the supporting category to not split the vote and that will me Jamie Lee Curtis won't get supporting.
@@curtisbme Cate Blanchett will take Best Actress for Tár and Angela Bassett will get Best Supporting Actress for BP2. Those are my predictions. I would’ve liked seeing Michelle Yeoh win for Actress but… I doubt it will happen.
@@JayFingers Both have the advantage of being in movies released at the end of the year so the recency bias will certainly play in their favor.
This is one of the best talks yet, the friendly and constantly back-and-forth, engaged conversations between them flow really well. While ppl complain about the moderator in most actor talks, here thats really not a problem.
This has to be one of the best roundtables THR has done in recent years! Just brilliant! :D
The writing in EEAAO is insane. Can’t wait to watch it time and a time again to pick up on new things!
Like FR how do you even start to write a movie like that...
@@AST-eriskedprobably astrology considering the multiverse concept and family dynamics.
This was my first roundtable and wow that was amazing. I especially loved Jordan Peele's, Chinonye Chukwu's, and Daniel Kwan's contribution to this.
I love hearing all these writers talk about their work and what inspires them. Jordan Peele is always fascinating anytime I see him talk anywhere. He seems like such a brilliant man to me.
I was kind of waiting for him to become a flash in the pan after Us couldn't compete with the attention Get Out got, and knowing that horror is such a specific and often deceptively unimaginative genre. But I was blown away by many of the creative decisions in that movie, and have been consistently surprised by his work. When reading reviews for Nope I felt like I got a lot of "I think I watched a masterpiece, but I'm afraid it's too weird to be sure, so maybe assume I didn't?" I thought "This movie is going to be awesome isn't it?"
Peele has his director style down! Looks cool af
Haha, I've been thinking the same thing. In all his recent interviews I couldn't help but think just how cool yet smart he looks. Definitely, a look to hold on to.
Daniel Kwan is seriously a next level writer, he explained that it is so fantastic and it does make sense, the system of filmmaking is changing and is getting better with time.
The part about having a playlist for every script and it becoming unreasonably long by the time you finish the script touched my soul
Daniel had some great responses in this
Agree
This was an amazing round table! I especially appreciated Daniel’s input to the whole conversation, very articulate but also funny, looking forward to witness more of the Daniels genius! EEAAO really deserves award recognition, it’s going to be a classic ❤️
It's already being forgotten and ratings are dropping.
^lmao you know there will always be this kind of people in any classic film
@Surfer no need to be so hurt, bud.
@Surfer you had a hard time understanding a movie, coherence isn’t your specialty bro.
@Surfer sir you just said the story was indiscernible. Do you need a a vocabulary lesson? My mother understood the premise and she hates sci-fi.
Jordan peele for me is an icon. From key and peele, his movies to all the way back when he performed here in the Netherlands when I saw him performing.
Shout out to Daniel Kwan's mom, wow!
I will be extremely disappointed if EEAAO is snubbed. It is a modern masterpiece and as a cinema enthusiast, I rarely use that term. It is said, when you watch a film you live 10 or 20 lives. When I saw EEAAO, I lived thousands. Thanks Daniel for making it.
I agree, no hyberbole, a once in a lifetime masterpiece.
@@kevlow9494 It was dec.
It was great. Time will tell if it’s a masterpiece though. People throw around that word too often.
It's pretty trash. Low brow humor and definitely not the type of film the academy genuinely likes.
@@TopGHustlersAcademy Yeah but it's centered around Asians and promotes acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. That's a double whammy hard to avoid. If it doesn't get nominated, it'll be a huge snub and the Academy will get smeared as anti-AAPI and anti-gay.
What a privilege to listen to all these amazing creatives talk for an hour. That was incredibly enriching, and educational. Nothing has made me want to jump up and write and create in a long time like this did.
28:58 great perspective on why writing with another can be great. Failing faster does wonders
True
Ever since I was ten years old, my favorite movies have been Ridley Scott's Alien and Ghibli's Howl's moving castle. Undisputed for 15 years-- but Nope and Everything Everywhere All At Once have easily become my favorite movies. I rented Nope so many times my roommate just bought it for me, and I watched it about 30 times in just a few days 😭
Seek help or get a job
I love Jordan’s way of piecing together thoughts and ideas it’s so magical to witness
The Writers to me feel more entertaining to listen to than actors talk at least in the series of this channel. Maybe because I write more than I act. But maybe it‘s also the dynamic of those specific people.
Nope and Banshees are definitely my favorites of the year so far.
In the span of 5 years, Jordan Peele became black Santa Claus.
:v
So, Santa Claus? Santa was always black, like Jesus.
@@itcouldbelupus2842 He's turkish.
@@godofthisshit Santa is Turkish?
@@itcouldbelupus2842 obviously Santa isn't real, but they guy Santa is based on is Saint Nick, who was a Greek guy who lived in modern day Turkey. Greeks and Turks can argue about who he belongs to, but either way he definitely wasn't black.
Jordan Peele hit the nail on the head, there is so much range around that table. These are some of the best films of the year and they barely have anything in common which is so exciting, this is a new age for original films in Hollywood.
Nice to hear someone actually say "the Wachowski sisters" instead of "the Wachowskis" which has seemed weird ever since Lilly came out
Absolutely! Especially taking into account that, before Lana came out, they were known as "the Wachowski brothers". "The Wachowski sisters" just seems like the natural progression. I mean, "the Wachowskis" is technically true as well, but to me at least, it seems like a way to avoid addressing them as women without being overtly transphobic.
I can listen to and watch Daniel talk for hours. He's so insightful, funny and articulate. EEAAO is my movie of the last few years. I love how Daniel looks like he's so honored and humbled to be sitting at the table.
Jordan Peele and Rian Johnson in the same room. I am here for it. Hopefully James Cameron and Ryan Coogler can take part in a roundtable as well!
Ryan coogler lol
Peele and Johnson are literally two of the worst writers working in Hollywood LOL. Here for what?
@Hustler's Academy clearly the commenter appreciates their work more than you do
@@TopGHustlersAcademy yeah go off tater tot 😂
@@anthonybgreen93 if tater tot is the best you can come up with, you're the demographic for these Low IQ movies.
An incredible collection of diverse creative minds at that table. Extremely fascinating to hear their stories.
We need more round tables with just cool directors talking bro
The last reel of Nope was the best last reel in recent memory for me. Astonishing.
Great Roundtable; I come away loving Tony Kushner more than I ever could have known.
Subtle, but I believe Jordan's Spectacle isn't a Spielberg one. He has his own image and idea for how he wants his vision to be.
51:54 My gut screamed when they mentioned Paul Thomas Anderson. Such honest and profound writing. I’d give anything to see another Paul and Daniel Day Lewis film *sigh*
I thought majority of writers here would say PTA when asked and oof I screamed of happiness when mcdonough and others responded!! Such a gem!
Can you please give a timestamp?
Daniel Kwan is on a whole other level, even in this table of great minds.
Asians are superior thats why
@@joogullae3456 Jesus dude. Chill tf out with that.
@@CloseYourBrownEyesgeez relax, it’s only his opinion. You reacted like he smacked your mom
Thank you to Daniel Kwan's mom. For pushing your son to go to film school!
It's Jordan Peele looking like everybody's black father in the 80's for me! But I love it.
daniel's statement about putting everything he can into his work is honestly pretty relatable as someone who also makes stuff and who also has anxiety.
Thank you all for a such candid, encouraging, and thoughtful conversation about the amazing medium of film. Gratitude
I’m so happy for Jordan. I watched this brother go from a comedy sketch show, to being one the biggest directors in the last 7yrs.
"As a writer, you're trying to put the best script forward. As a director, you're trying to be open. And... and you are trying to get Energy out of it." Daily dose of wisdom! Jordan Peele is unreal.
Soon I will sit at this table.
You will! I believe in you! Work hard!
@@juliansjeandawsonarchive Thank you. xo I will let you know. I will save this email. Your advice means so much to me.
Can’t wait to see you
@@nembutalfaye Thank you. Will save this post & reply again when it happens😊👍🤗
Can we get actually knowleadgable and dynamic people to moderate the roundtables? Like you've got Rebecca Keegan and Lacey Rose right there, they're better prepared and warmer, so conversation flows more naturally and it's not a series of stilted questions.
Agree those two are much better but this wasn't that bad either. Maybe because of the guests involved.
I get it but at least that other guy is gone. Ugh, his style was horrible.
Hard disagree. I've found this guy to be great. The questions are considered, and the conversations they inspire are very interesting. This round table is a case in point - easily one of the best of the most recent crop. In comparison, Lacey's style in the TV Drama actor's round table, coupled with *ahem* a couple of the participants' characters, make that round-table one of the more fractious and uncomfortable. Agree that Rebecca Keegan is great; the actresses roundtable was fantastic, in large part due to her attentive and insightful prompting
man, Daniel Kwan at 7:00 I feel that so heavily lol. During every personal project of mine I have a constant, overbearing sense that I need to finish it soon or I'll die, or the world will end, or every hard drive copy I have of the thing will be lost in some way. In this case it's a 2+ year project so it's a particularly potent feeling. Just feels great to hear someone I admire feels the same way, as irrational as it can be at our age. I feel like I'd implode at say, Scorcese's or Spielberg's age but it surely gets easier once you have a few things out in the world that you're proud of.
Agree
World ending feeling for sure.
This was so awesome. Thanks to all the people who took part.
Rian seemed entranced by Daniel and vice versa.. I hope they collab sometime!! I would be so stoked!!
What a lineup. Thank you! This host is great.
What an amazing and stacked roundtable. The originality these guys have created is incredible.
What a gem of a table
Tony Kushner is amazing!!! He just gets it
Yet his work on The Fabelmans is quite laughable. 60+ year old dude writing high school teen dialogue just doesn't work
Special features (behind the scenes, deleted scenes, alternate endings, bloopers, etc) have become just as entertaining as the films. I appreciate this discussion because it moves a step further on that path into the mind/philosophy of the director and shows how each project taps into their artistry.
crazy that mcdonagh doesn’t outline. amazing what the guy accomplishes without even knowing where the story is going to take him, just trusts his instincts enough to let the pen run wild. you can see that with three billboards, i think: some have criticised the story writ large for being caricatured and unrealistic and they’re probably right, but the way that story flows and doesn’t find a dramatic conclusion but a slow, tender and meditative one felt quite true to life. i suspect a more conventional, outlined structure would have led to him reaching a more straightforwardly dramatic denouement. whatever works best, i guess!
Very interesting idea.
Makes a lot of sense in terms of feeling
The greatest writer-directors and minds together at one table! These award group meetings are my favorite things to watch every single year!! #cinema 📽
Peele out here looking like he's about to perform Blinding Lights.
Ha that’s hilarious
I’m in love with Daniel Kwan 😭
Have been since I was a kid watching the Turn Down For What music video
This is Jordan Peele’s best look
He's slowly morphing into Stanley Kubrick in appearance!
When Chinonye Chukwu said she was obsessed with The Golden Girls, it made me want to hang out with her so bad! Me too!
THATS SO UNFORTUNATE!!! I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A DANIELS BEHIND THE SCENE HORROR COMEDY. That pitch was exciting to me
i was spitting my tea across the screen, best concept
daniel is funny damn he and the other daniel are definitely gonna shine in the industry😂
This is one of the best Writers Roundtables yet, WOW!
Incredibly humble and talented folks.
Its refreshing to hear such a wild audio mix. Even for a show with legendary guests... the NoiseRX, and Automation in post, likely in a rush turnaround, as an audio mixer and daily content delivery person, it''s humbling and endearing to hear what the mixer had to do with dealing with different mic placements, talent's speaking volumes, changes in vocal projection angles and hand covering, clothing shifting, and all the factors! Kudos
This is really inspiring.
You're inspiring! Keep being awesome.
I really appreciate the interviewer just letting them talk
Great questions at the end! All very, very inspiring 🎉
Yes Roundtable season is here!
I don't know how this video doesn't have more views. One of the best Roundtables ever.
Great roundtable loved Nope and Everything Everywhere All At Once looking forward to seeing the other films soon.
You know which writers are underrated and don't get the recognition that they deserve? Game Writers/ Designers, I am just saying, some of the greatest tales I've experienced were through games (I know its not related to this video, but I just end up thinking about it while I was watching, thought I share, maybe we get a round table with game devs?)
Jordan Peele looks like if the two recent Weeknd Albums had a child
one of my favourite roundtables yet.
This might be the best roundtable video I’ve seen, very talented people in this one
That Jim Carrey idea sounds great
Kuschner is such a lover of movies. You can feel it.
i just wanna say that Till was an incredible movie about an incredible woman, i sobbing loudly in the theatre at the end and also i fell sick for a week immediately after watching it, and then my car fully broke down, im assuming this is a sign but im not sure what im supposed to do about it.
i can listen to daniel kwan speak all day
One day people will want to listen to you speak all day! Keep it up!
Really cool to see these people together