Tyler Perry has got to be the hardest working man in show business since James Brown! Not only is he overseeing his major Atlanta studio lot that sits 12 soundstages on 330-plus acres of land, but Perry is also busy with a slate of shows that includes Ruthless, The Oval, Sistas, Bruh, and Zatima. And there’s more where that came from.
Much of Perry’s successful empire can be attributed to the humble beginnings of tell-it-like-it-is matriarch Madea, who was retired by Perry in the 2019 film Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral.
Since 1999, Madea has made audiences laugh and critics cringe as her stage play appearances morphed into box office gold (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s first theatrical film, grossed $22 million over its opening weekend). At the time of Madea’s retiring, Perry said the character had ran out of things to say.
“I’m just at a place in my life where this next 50 [years] I want to do things differently. This character has been amazing. So many people have loved her. It’s been a great franchise,” Perry, 52, said. “She’s also run out of things to say in my point of view. So if there’s something else for her to say maybe one day she’ll return but for right now, no, I think I’m done.”
That day has come. Netflix released a snippet of Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming featuring the beloved character. Madea brings her problem-solving skills and unique parenting tips to her great grandson’s college graduation celebration.
Some familiar faces are returning to the franchise addition, including Mr. Brown (David Mann), Cora (Tamela J. Mann), Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis), and fresh faces Gabrielle Dennis, Jennifer Gibney and Mrs. Brown’s Boys creator Brendan O’Carroll.
There’s no denying Madea’s impact. Who can forget the hilarious Madea impersonation video by Howard Griffin, spoofing Saweetie’s hit single “My Type” in a clip that fooled millions of people.
With all the seriousness of a long-suffering pandemic and the continuous revelation of deaths, Madea comes just in time to comfort the sorrowful. Perry agrees.
“I was looking at the state of the world and how polarized it is… nobody’s laughing,” Perry told People. “Nobody’s getting the chance to belly-laugh anymore and I’m like, ‘What tool do I have in my arsenal that can bring that kind of laughter?'”
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Homecoming releases February 25, 2022 on Netflix.
Added: Watch the Official Trailer Below
