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Tyler Perry and Madea

Tyler Perrythinks the world needs a good laugh.

The writer/director reprises his role as Madea in the forthcoming Netflix movieA Madea Homecoming, streaming Feb. 25. The new entry in the franchise comes after Perry claimed he was done playing the part while promoting the 2019 installment,A Madea Family Funeral.

Perry, 52, toldEntertainment Weeklyhe decided to revive the character after feeling the need for more comedies. He added that becoming Madea again was like “putting on gloves.”

“I was looking at the state of the world and how polarized it is… nobody’s laughing. Nobody’s getting the chance to belly-laugh anymore,” he said. “And I’m like, ‘What tool do I have in my arsenal that can bring that kind of laughter?’ "

According toEW, the new movie is about Madea’s great-grandson’s college graduation, which attracts family members to reunite and family secrets coming to light.

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Perry revealed thatA Madea Homecoming— the series' 12th installment — features an LGBTQ storyline, explaining: “How long does it have to be before you understand something? Even if you don’t understand, be open. … I just think that if everything gets accepted in love, then you get a chance to see the person for who they are rather than what you think they are.”

When heannounced the movie in June 2021, Perry said on social media, “We need to laugh, man, too much is going on in the country. We need to laugh, so, I was done, but she’s coming back. Madea on Netflix. I can’t wait.”

During an interview onBevy Smith’s SiriusXM showBevelationsin October 2018, Perry laughed about Madea as he said, “It’s time for me to kill that old b-, I’m tired, man! I’m tired.”

Perry currently stars in Netflix’s hit movieDon’t Look Up, which also starsLeonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett,Ariana Grande,Jonah Hilland more.

A Madea Homecomingdebuts Feb. 25 on Netflix.

source: people.com