Danielle Brooks had a hit with ‘Minecraft.’ ‘Peacemaker’s’ return adds to her super year

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It’s a good time to be Danielle Brooks.

In 2024, she was nominated for an Oscar for her role in “The Color Purple,” and her portrayal of Sofia even earned her a Grammy for best musical theater album. However, it seems that 2025 has been even more successful for her. So far this year, she has featured in the blockbuster hit “A Minecraft Movie” that grossed nearly a billion dollars, lent her voice to a villainous snow leopard in “The Bad Guys 2,” and is now set to return to the DC Universe alongside John Cena for Season 2 of HBO Max’s “Peacemaker.

Following his successful leadership in shaping a fresh perspective for the DCU with David Corenswet’s innocent portrayal of “Superman,” James Gunn has crafted this season of “Peacemaker,” airing Aug 21, as a link between past and future events. A recurring motif in this new journey of our quirky, sincere, and blunt-speaking superhero is that one cannot escape the consequences of their decisions – whether they are good or bad.

The main character, who transforms from an antihero into a superhero, is accompanied on his adventure by Leota Adebayo (played by Brooks). She’s just the kind of motivating buddy Cena’s Peacemaker could have hoped to find. Famous metahumans might tease him about his disco ball-like helmet, and he may grapple with finding the right way to improve his tarnished image. However, Adebayo remains steadfast in her faith that her somewhat clumsy muscular friend is genuinely good.

Prior to setting off to San Diego for her initial Comic-Con, Brooks took some time to converse and reflect on her journey into a realm that was previously unfamiliar to her.

She shares that her upbringing was quite reserved, which meant she wasn’t exposed to many things outside of the home. Furthermore, she didn’t have an older sibling like a brother or cousin, and instead of receiving comic books, she was often given either a Bible or sheet music to sing, as she conveys this with a smile.

But that wasn’t the only thing that made this DCU project daunting when it first came her way.

When I met Adebayo, I had recently given birth and we were in the midst of a pandemic,” she recounts. “I’d put on around 60 pounds during pregnancy, and then I received a call from James Gunn asking if I wanted to appear in an action TV series. My initial thought was, ‘Me? I’m in the worst physical condition I’ve ever been in. I can still act, but can I keep up?’

In simpler terms, Gunn had admired Brooks’ remarkable, humorous, and soulful portrayal of Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson, one of the prisoners, in the popular Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” created by Jenji Kohan.

He expressed amazement in an email, saying the depth was truly remarkable. He viewed it as a chance to highlight an unusual individual as the main character in a ‘superhero’ series.

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Instead of being a traditional sequel, this supervillain spectacle could be described as a reinvention, serving as the most violent, bizarre, and newest offering from the DC Extended Universe.

In Gunn’s unconventional series, a spinoff from 2021’s “The Suicide Squad,” it’s evident that characters like Peacemaker’s associate, Adebayo, initially grapple with their identity and beliefs. Often overshadowed by her powerful mother, Amanda Waller (played by Viola Davis), the new recruit from A.R.G.U.S. finds herself burdened by self-doubt that accompanies her throughout her journey.

In the first season, Adebayo comes across as very disorganized and nervous, according to Brooks. She seems scatterbrained and unsure of herself, tripping over her own words and unable to make a shot.

Adebayo’s experience resonates with Brooks, as both started the project with a similar level of apprehension that was characteristic of their respective roles.

She admits that she initially felt quite anxious, but wonders if she can meet his expectations,” she says, referring to Gunn. “Her faith in his trust of her abilities and her determination to give a powerful portrayal ultimately guided her character development.

She expresses her fondness for acting by mentioning, “That’s one thing I adore about our profession. Acting pushes you to excel in all dimensions – mind, soul, and body. Consequently, I was thrilled at the prospect of meeting this challenge.

Brooks flourished among the close-knit group that is the 11th Street Crew, where Peacemaker, Vigilante (Freddie Stroma), Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), and John Economos (Steve Agee) also belong.

According to Gunn, she possesses a notably large and vibrant character. Moreover, this specific team is remarkably like a close-knit family. Without Danielle’s boisterous laughter and warm-hearted nature, it wouldn’t feel the same.

That big heart has shaped Adebayo into a grounding presence for those around her.

Brooks explains, “Her ability to stay positive and stabilize the group has essentially become her unique talent, exclaiming ‘We can do this!’ This is where we encounter her in Season 2. She’s incredibly optimistic, a beacon of hope amidst chaos. The rest of them are stumbling, struggling with their relationships, personal lives, careers – everyone seems disoriented. But she stands out as the one who says, ‘We will find a way to make sense of this.'”

Despite “Peacemaker” being known for its crude humor and laugh-provoking jokes – which include extraterrestrials, tavern fights, explicit parties, and Eagly, a sharp-tempered pet eagle – the series has served as a platform highlighting the acting skills of its principal performers.

Brooks expresses eagerness for fans to witness what Cena has in store for them this time, stating he seems to have advanced significantly (“I believe he’s stepped up his game this time,” she says). However, Gunn hints that it will be Adebayo’s storyline that leaves viewers astounded, as the second season delves into a multiverse.

He expresses that the entire ensemble demonstrated significantly more depth in their performances than what was initially showcased during the first season. Furthermore, he highly praises Danielle’s acting in the final episode of Season 2, stating it to be among the finest acting work he has ever encountered.

The compliment might have alleviated some of the initial apprehension that Brooks felt while getting ready to re-explore the character.

She remarks, “It took me a moment to find my stride again with Season 2, and I felt the weight of being an Oscar nominee. Thoughts like, ‘Wow, this is what comes next after your nomination? Are you really that good? Can you deliver?'” crossed my mind.

Awards

As a devoted admirer, I couldn’t help but ensure that those memorable instances portrayed by the actor in Steven Spielberg’s 1985 masterpiece – his distinctive stride, his tense grip – were faithfully recreated in our modern adaptation.

Instead of succumbing to those invasive thoughts, she was well-aware. Yet, this incident brought forth fresh hurdles that she’ll need to overcome as she embarks on writing the next phase of her professional journey.

She expresses feeling confident and assured, saying, “I truly feel like I’ve found my place here.” Her confidence stems from recognizing the caliber of her peers who are nominated – they are top-tier actors. This realization has strengthened her resolve to stay in the industry, aiming for a long-term career. She admits that the nomination itself wasn’t necessary for her to know she belonged, as she already felt it within herself.

This year, on Tony nomination day, I, as a fellow admirer and fan of the incredible talent that is Brooks, was deeply moved by the message she chose to emphasize. As a Tony-nominated actor for “The Color Purple” on Broadway in 2016, Brooks shared a heartfelt video on social media, specifically addressing those who may have thought they had little reason to celebrate.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself reliving Brooks’ journey in 2023 when she discovered she hadn’t been nominated for her remarkable work on “The Piano Lesson”. It was disheartening, but then came a heartwarming moment where she delivered a motivational speech. She encouraged us all, saying, “Let this disappointment fuel your determination to produce more outstanding work that speaks for itself. It’s not just about the awards, but about personal growth and achieving the aspirations you’ve set for yourself in life.

A post shared by Danielle Brooks (@thedaniellebrooks)

The message aimed to highlight an issue within the industry where standard measures of success might distort an actor’s perception of their worth. This revised version uses simpler language and is more easily understood by the average reader.

She acknowledges that period was extremely challenging for her. It wasn’t merely about not receiving a Tony nomination; while that was painful, it wasn’t the sole cause. At that moment, she found herself questioning, ‘What am I doing this for?’ Her passion seemed to be losing its luster, and if she felt that way, she wondered if it was all worth it.

In that instant, what she recorded with her camera was a disheartening letdown. Yet, it was swiftly followed by a tender act: Her husband, Dennis Gelin, unexpectedly emerged and planted a kiss on top of her head. Despite the personal setback in her profession, Brooks received comfort from those who cherished her.

She notes that often, we tend to overemphasize people when they’re atop a proverbial mountain, implying a position of success or acclaim. It’s natural to cheer for our fellow artists during their high points, or when they seem to be “basking in the light,” as she expresses it.

She humorously refers to a situation where individuals are ostentatiously flaunting wealth, typically riding motorcycles with sunglasses and carrying what appear to be large sums of money. In such instances, she mentions, people, including herself, usually express admiration by showering them with likes and hearts online.

She also mentions, “However, when you’re in a situation where you feel like you’re struggling, sinking in the mire, stretching out for help but finding no one to grasp your hand, that’s what I yearned for those who weren’t recognized on that day. I wanted them to know that someone is there, extending a hand to shake, to remind them, ‘You are still amazing. You continue to deserve the best of everything.’

The words used often embody the affectionate and vibrant spirit that Brooks has instilled in characters such as Taystee from “Orange,” Sofia from “The Color Purple,” and more recently Leota Adebayo. These characters seem to advocate for a perspective where one should face the world not with clenched fists but with an open heart instead.

As our discussion comes to an end, a woman steps forward to introduce her daughters to Brooks. He smiles warmly at them and happily poses for photos alongside them. While many people might primarily associate Brooks with his role in “Minecraft”, the enthusiasm displayed by this encounter in a Beverly Hills hotel early morning is more likely due to an unexpected venture of his: the Netflix home renovation show, “Instant Dream Home.

Once more, we see Brooks’ charm and passions guiding her towards diverse projects, each one introducing her to entirely fresh groups of fans. And she thrives on this variety.

She expresses, “Life’s too brief for me, I yearn to uncover all the talents bestowed upon me. My dream has always been to mold my career in such a way that it reaches diverse individuals from various backgrounds. This, I believe, is the most potent impact one could ever make.

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2025-08-14 13:31