Chiwetel Ejiofor Discusses Directing ‘Rob Peace’ and Joining ‘Venom’ & ‘Bridget Jones’

A casual glance at Chiwetel Ejiofor’s upcoming lineup of films — spanning a superhero franchise (“Venom: The Last Dance”), a beloved rom-com return (“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy”), a Stephen King adaptation (Mike Flanagan’s “The Life of Chuck”) and an A-list directorial debut (Scarlett Johansson’s “Eleanor the Great”) — hints at a hectic work schedule for the actor.

Even while being busy in front of the camera, Ejiofor has somehow found time to work behind it. Six years after his well-received directorial debut, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” he returns with his sophomore feature “Rob Peace,” released Friday with Paramount.

Adapted by Ejiofor from Jeff Hobb’s 2014 book “The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace,” the film tells the true story of Robert Peace (played by newcomer Jay Will). Peace, a scientifically gifted boy from Orange, N.J., majored in biochemistry at Yale. Despite his incredible promise, Peace struggled to navigate various institutional hurdles linked to race, housing, education, and criminal justice. While at Yale, he sold weed to help overturn his father Skeet’s (played by Ejiofor) double homicide conviction. Sadly, Peace was later murdered in a drug-related shooting at just 30 years old.

Ejiofor wasn’t actively searching for a sophomore feature to direct, but the opportunity to engage with this story was compelling. One of his first casting decisions was to bring Mary J. Blige on board as Rob’s mother, Jackie Peace. Blige’s commitment to the film proved instrumental in reviving the project after it shuttered during the pandemic.

Speaking about the project, Ejiofor mentioned his preference for organic creative choices. He discovered his lead, Jay Will, from the online showcase of a recent Juilliard graduate. This serendipitous casting aligned with Ejiofor’s vision for the film. Ejiofor also drew early inspiration from the wide-ranging roles of Cary Grant and relished the idea of rejoining the Working Title rom-com universe, more than 20 years after “Love, Actually.”

Ejiofor’s involvement with “Rob Peace” began when Antoine Fuqua approached him about adapting the book. Ejiofor had read the book about a decade ago and was moved by Hobbs’ empathetic storytelling. After reading the book, Ejiofor thought the rights were unavailable until Fuqua and Rebecca Hobbs contacted him, impressed by Ejiofor’s humanistic approach in his debut film. Ejiofor eagerly jumped at the opportunity to adapt and direct the story.

Though he hadn’t been actively looking for another directing project after “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” Ejiofor was always interested in projects that he found engaging. The rich, complex story of Robert Peace offered a lot to wrestle with, motivating Ejiofor to invest his energy and time in it.

As an Englishman writing and directing an American story, Ejiofor focused on thorough research. He visited Rob’s mother, Jackie Peace, and spent time in Rob’s childhood home. He also connected with people at St. Benedicts, where many teachers remembered Rob, and frequently visited Yale to understand both its past and present dynamics.

Ejiofor found Jay Will through an online showcase during the COVID year, which offered limited exposure to new actors. Will’s grounded, visceral understanding of Rob’s character impressed Ejiofor. He didn’t want to make the film about code-switching, a term often used as a shortcut to discuss Black dynamics. Will naturally embodied the authenticity of Rob’s character, which was crucial from the beginning of the audition process.

Mary J. Blige’s early commitment played a crucial role in the film’s production. Despite the pandemic pause, Blige remained dedicated to the project, helping to reignite and galvanize the team’s efforts. Ejiofor praised her for bringing authenticity and passion to her role, contributing significantly to the film.

Ejiofor also plays Rob’s father, Skeet Douglas, in the film. Initially, he didn’t plan to take the role, but Rob’s mother convinced him given the physical resemblance to Skeet. Recognizing that directing another actor for a part he felt he could play himself, Ejiofor decided to step into the role.

Despite his busy acting career, Ejiofor’s approach to directing has been organic. He emphasizes the importance of feeling a connection to a story or character that drives his creative process. Ejiofor finds fulfillment in engaging projects that resonate deeply with his interests.

Ejiofor’s busy slate of upcoming films includes diverse genres, from superhero movies and rom-coms to Stephen King adaptations and directorial debuts. He enjoys the variety, finding it exciting to work in different headspaces with brilliant actors.

The actor has always admired Cary Grant’s ability to seamlessly transition across genres, and Ejiofor aspires to bring the same versatility to his career. He cherishes the opportunity to perform in different styles of films and hopes to carry this versatility into his writing and directing endeavors.

Joining the “Bridget Jones” family felt natural to Ejiofor. Having been part of the broader Working Title universe through “Love, Actually,” he appreciates the warmth, humor, and well-crafted human stories these films offer. Ejiofor values their optimistic and hopeful portrayal of contemporary issues, making his participation in the project immensely satisfying.

Source: Variety