Marlon Wayans Is 'HIM' in First Trailer for New Jordan Peele-Produced Football Horror Film -

It’s time to line up for the snap, because the first trailer for HIM is here. Formerly going under the working title GOAT, the new film produced by Jordan Peele stitches together football and horror in sinister fashion, all under the direction of Kicks and Joe vs. Carol director Justin Tipping. The project, which centers on a promising young football player (Tyriq Withers) taken under the wing of a legendary quarterback (Marlon Wayans) of a dynasty team nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, has largely been shrouded in mystery since its announcement. Now, following its appearance at CinemaCon, this first teaser is pulling the curtain back to show general audiences something much freakier than the initial premise promises.

In Him, the gridiron up-and-comer receives an invitation to train at the isolated compound of his predecessor, becoming his protégé. While working closely with his idol seems like a blessing for his career, it becomes an absolute nightmare when the veteran QB1 pushes him to his breaking point to teach him the cost of generation-defining greatness and see what he’s willing to sacrifice. The footage, which some lucky theatergoers saw as a surprise before screenings of Ryan Coogler‘s Sinners, puts Withers’s rookie through the endless grind of football with no days off and no sleep to prepare him for the biggest stage. Wayans’s narration repeats the motto “I am never good enough,” which defines the nonstop push for greater heights. However, things quickly take a bloody, trippy, and downright satanic turn from the polished, seemingly inspirational ad to reveal that the compound encourages a greater kind of sacrifice. It teases that those who truly want to be on top will have to give up everything — their body, mind, and soul — to live the high life of a football legend.

Peele produced HIM through his Monkeypaw Productions banner, which has enjoyed a strong run of success lately with the projects it has backed. Last year, the company had a big hit in the action genre with Dev Patel‘s directorial debut, Monkey Man. Tipping will look to fire off another hit with his latest title’s unique focus on sports, along with a strong cast. Wayans and Withers will be joined on the gridiron by Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jeffries, and hip-hop stars Guapdad 4000 and Tierra Whack. Limetown writers Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie penned the screenplay with Tipping.

Jordan Peele Has Greater Plans for the Future Beyond ‘Him’

Peele has been in the background as a producer for the last few years, but he’ll soon be back in the director’s chair for a project of his own to follow up 2022’s Nope. The acclaimed horror director revealed last year that his next film will hit theaters on October 23, 2026. Details are being kept well under wraps at this point, but it’s likely to stick to his signature brand of scares with a greater overall message. Moreover, it’s one he’s quite excited about, as he’s previously shared that it could be his favorite project to date “if I make it right.” Until then, HIM will look to tide viewers over with something that already feels right up his alley.

HIM tackles the big screen on September 19. Check out the first trailer in the player above.