Winston Duke's breakthrough portrayal of M'Baku in Marvel's Black Panther was the role that thrust the actor into the spotlight, but it also almost cost him another potentially career-making role that he is set to bring to life when Jordan Peele's Us hits theaters this month.
According to the director, he was apprehensive about casting Duke as the father of the central family in the new horror flick because of the warrior image surrounding the burgeoning actor.
"It would take away from our ability to feel afraid [for the family] if they have M'Baku on their side," Peele revealed via Cinema Blend. "[On the other hand] Winston had this charisma that just stole scenes and really left an impression."
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Duke himself revealed that he did not want to be typecast as a warrior or fighter, aligning himself with the chance that Peele took on him in hopes of portraying masculinity in various forms.
“I was in conversation for a lot of [roles in which] the character was a fighter, a big guy — he's aggressive, a warrior,” he told the publication. “I loved playing M'Baku, but that's not who I am. I want to convey the full spectrum of masculinity. I want people to say that this guy helped change the definition of masculinity onscreen 40 years from now. I’m trying to be that person.”