British actor Daniel Kaluuya, known for his acclaimed performances and an Academy Award win in 2021, is making a notable return to live-action filmmaking. Despite a period of relative quiet on screen, which saw him feature in just one live-action film since his Oscar triumph, Kaluuya is now embarking on a series of new projects. This week marked a significant step in his comeback with the release of the first trailer for his upcoming film, 'Misty Green'.
Kaluuya, 37, secured the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2021 for his role in 'Judas and the Black Messiah'. Since then, his only live-action appearance was in Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi horror 'Nope'. However, he has remained active behind the scenes and through voice work, lending his talents to projects such as the animated 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' and the Arsenal Football Club docuseries 'All or Nothing'. He also co-wrote, produced, and co-directed the independent film 'The Kitchen', which was released in the UK in January 2024, though he did not act in it. In 2023, Kaluuya also took on a role as associate artistic director at London’s Roundhouse arts venue, demonstrating his broader engagement with the arts.
'Misty Green', directed by comedian and filmmaker Chris Rock, is poised to be one of Kaluuya's prominent new releases. The film centres on a celebrated actor, played by Rosalind Eleazar, as she navigates personal struggles. Its trailer’s release follows reports from a year ago that Kaluuya had signed with the major US representation agency WME, signalling a renewed focus on his acting career. The film is expected to arrive in cinemas later this year.
Beyond 'Misty Green', Kaluuya has several other projects on the horizon. He is slated to appear in the thriller 'Hotel Hotel Hotel Hotel', directed by Michael Shanks, known for his 2025 film 'Together'. Fans of the animated 'Spider-Verse' franchise will also be pleased to hear that Kaluuya is set to reprise his voice role as Hobie Brown, also known as Spider-Punk, in the forthcoming sequel. Additionally, a movie adaptation of the popular children's property Barney the Dinosaur, reportedly still in development, has Kaluuya linked to its production.
Kaluuya first gained widespread recognition for his breakthrough role in E4’s teen drama 'Skins' and has since cemented his reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation. His filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as 'Get Out', 'Widows', and 'Black Panther'. Despite appearing in a supporting capacity in the 2018 smash-hit Marvel film 'Black Panther', he did not feature in its 2022 sequel, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', due to scheduling conflicts with the production of 'Nope'. His consistent critical acclaim was underscored in a 2024 ranking that placed him at No. 6 among the greatest film actors of the 21st century.