Jeffrey Wright took on a role in "American Fiction" after the director expressed his personal connection to the novel "Erasure" and his desire for Wright to portray the lead character, Monk. Wright's portrayal has earned him his first Oscar nomination, highlighting his talent in bringing depth to any role. The film tackles complex issues of race and the expectations placed on Black artists by white audiences in a satirical manner. Wright believes the film contributes to the important national conversation on race and identity, even though it doesn't offer neat solutions.