Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan On Their Evolving Creative Relationship and the Personal Themes Found in ‘Sinners’ [VIDEO INTERVIEW]
“Ponderous, funny, horny, violent, at times emotionally exalting,” “soulful,” and “big,” these are just some of the few thoughts that were running in our own Trace Sauver’s review of writer-director Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic, Sinners; thoughts that run wild on initial viewing of the film. It’s bold, original storytelling that audiences have become accustomed to, as this is the standard that’s been set not only by Coogler, but his regular leading man, actor Michael B. Jordan. Jordan, a California based actor who audiences grew to know from his television work on shows like The Wire, Parenthood, and Friday Night Lights, as well as film roles like Chronicle, showed the world he was a force to be reckoned with in 2013’s Fruitvale Station; his first collaboration with Coogler. The Oakland based filmmaker and a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, wrote the screenplay for Fruitvale and the role of Oscar Grant specifically for Jordan to play him, and from this point on, these two artist’s lives changed forever as this film was the launching point of the best actor-director duo of the modern era.
For the last twelve years, Coogler and Jordan have dazzled, inspired, and entertained audiences all around the world with their spectacular blockbusters from Creed, to Black Panther, and now Sinners. Jordan even appeared in a cameo role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Coogler assisted his leading man on the story for his turn behind the camera when Jordan directed Creed III. If it isn’t clear by now, these two men love working together, and have a personal, creative bond that is one of the strongest Hollywood, and with Sinners, they’ve delivered their best film yet.
In my recent conversation with the acclaimed actor, director duo, we spoke about how their relationship has blossomed over the year, if things have changed slightly for them now that Jordan has stepped behind the camera since their last time working together on a Coogler picture, and why the themes of Sinners resonate with audiences, showcasing their vital need to protect the art that makes our cultures special. While my time with them was brief, you can tell that this is a rich relationship that’s continuing to grow with each project, making us all eager and curious to see what cinematic journey they will take us on next.
Sinners is currently available to stream on HBO Max.
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