British actorDaniel Kaluuyais set to be immortalized with a statue this month in his hometown of London, celebrating his remarkable contributions to film and the arts. The milestone will coincide with both Halloween and the UK’s Black History Month.
Kaluuya’s statue depicts his iconicSunken Placescene from Jordan Peele’s acclaimed horror filmGet Out, according to a report byEntertainment Weekly. The 35-year-old Oscar-winner will be honored with a sculpture of his character Chris Washington in Central London’s Leicester Square. The actor was selected from a poll of 5,000 British film fans as the movie star they most want to see honored in the Scenes in the Square trail, which is a tribute to Britain’s cinematic history. Kaluuya celebrated the news on hisInstagram, sharing an image of his Sunken Place moment with the caption:
“Soooo wanted to tell you guys, I’m getting a statue in Leicester Square, Central London, the same place I used to eat my meal deal prawn cocktail crisps, in between auditions. I’ll be real, this is beyond imagining. “Chris” in Get Out will be memorialised on the trail alongside characters like Batman, Harry Potter and Mary Poppins and the most special thing about all of this is that it’s been chosen by the people. I want to say thank you all for taking the time to vote for me. I really tell stories for you guys; whether you’re in a bouji cinema, snuck into a 2nd screening or just wanna watch something Friday eve after work, I really make things with you in mind. So to have this by you, means a lot to me.”
Kaluuya’s Statute Will Be Interactive
Kaluuya is known for hisstandout performancesin acclaimed films likeBlack Panther,Judas and the Black Messiah, andNope.He gained global recognition for his breakout performance inGet Out. His statue will stand as a permanent tribute to the cultural significance of the film, which serves as a satirical commentary on racism in America. Scenes in the Square is an interactive statue trail launched in 2020 that “celebrates Britain’s love for films and encompasses iconic characters from the past century to the heart of London’s home of film,” perVisit London. The exhibit includes an audio walking tour that guides visitors through the exhibits, offering insight into each statue.
Kaluuya won an Oscar in 2021 for his role inJudas and the Black Messiahand reunited with Peele in 2022 for the acclaimed UFO thrillerNope. Peele made history as the first Black screenwriter to win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay forGet Out, which significantly boosted both of their careers. Kaluuya’s statue will be unveiled in October, joining life-sized renditions of Wonder Woman, Indiana Jones, Laurel and Hardy, Gene Kelly, Bugs Bunny, Mary Poppins, Charlie Chaplin, Mr. Bean, and theGame of Thronesiron throne.“We are excited to welcome Daniel Kaluuya and Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’ to our Scenes in the Square line-up as a celebration of a modern cinematic success and homegrown British talent,”Mark Williams, deputy chief executive for Heart of London Business Alliance, toldVariety.
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Kaluuya is currently attached to the development ofa new Barney movie, based on the iconic purple dinosaur from the 90s children’s showBarney & Friends. He will co-produce the film alongside Mattel Films, which said the project will be targeted at adults. Mattel executive Kevin McKeon called it “an A24-type film.”
