Daniel Kaluuya will soon be honored in his hometown of London with a statue commemorating his breakout role in the 2017 film Get Out.
This recognition comes after Kaluuya was chosen from a poll of 5,000 British film fans, who voted for the Academy Award-winning actor as the star they most wanted to see added to the “Scenes in the Square” trail at Leicester Square, according to Variety. The statue, which portrays the iconic “Sunken Place” scene where Kaluuya’s character falls into a hypnotic state, is scheduled to be revealed in October.
The unveiling is timed to coincide with Halloween and Black History Month in the U.K., aligning with the horror themes of the movie and celebrating Black American culture and experiences. The statue is expected to represent modern cinematic success and local talent, joining other famous statues along the trail, which includes legendary figures like Harry Potter, Batman, Wonder Woman, Mary Poppins, and Gene Kelly.
“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,” said Mark Williams, deputy chief executive for the Heart of London Business Alliance, which manages the “Scenes in the Square” with support from Westminster City Council.
“It points to a bright future for our trail, with Kaluuya as a chosen symbol of the future of entertainment, and it is a pleasure to be able to spotlight such a pioneering film.”
Since the trail began four years ago, other temporary statues have been featured, including the iron throne from Game of Thrones, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Indiana Jones. Kaluuya’s statue marks the first time a Black actor or film character has been highlighted in the Square.
This honor reflects Kaluuya’s ongoing success in Hollywood following his breakthrough in Get Out, a film that also launched the career of its writer and director, Jordan Peele. Since then, Kaluuya has starred in films like Judas and the Black Messiah (earning him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), Black Panther, and Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller Nope. His performance in Get Out earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Kaluuya, Best Director, and a win for Peele in the Original Screenplay category.
SOURCE: blackenterprise.com