Filmmaker Ryan Coogler shared that when he first presented his idea for the movie Sinners to frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan, he feared the actor was not interested. The drama, set in 1932 Mississippi and centered on twin brothers who open a juke joint, intertwines multiple genres with Blues music serving as the main narrative thread. Despite Coogler’s concerns, the film won critical acclaim and generated over $368 million at the box office.
How the Pitch Unfolded Between Coogler and Jordan
Coogler recounted the early stages of their collaboration on the show Good Hang with Amy Poehler, describing their phone exchange. He was cautious about sharing the screenplay prematurely to avoid pressuring Jordan, who had a busy schedule. Instead, Coogler wanted to have a solid script before involving him.
How it ended up working: I was trying to get the screenplay together, because Mike’s busy and I didn’t wanna say, ‘Hey, I got a thing’ and then have him waiting for a script. I didn’t need him blowing my phone up, like, ‘Hey, where is it at?’ But what ended up happening was he called me and pitched me something while I was working on this for him,
Coogler explained.
Jordan’s Surprising Response to the Film’s Concept
Although Jordan initially offered to direct the film, Coogler declined, which caused some tension. Jordan’s concern prompted him to seek clarity on Coogler’s hesitance, leading to a revealing discussion about the movie’s content. Coogler described Jordan’s reaction to the unique story elements involving twins, a period setting, and a supernatural twist with vampires.
‘Hey man, what’s going on? I wanna get this going. There’s something you’re not telling me’. I’m like, ‘Look, I’m working on a thing. I’m bringing this to you, this is what it is: it’s twins; it’s period; it’s vampires’. And I remember how he reacted because he just got quiet for a long time and I was like, ‘Oh s***, did I lose him?’ And he’s like, ‘Man, you know what, that sounds pretty interesting, man’.
Coogler recalled.
Plot and Characters of Sinners
In the film, Michael B. Jordan portrays identical twins and World War I veterans Elijah Smoke and Elias Stack Moore. After acquiring wealth by robbing criminal syndicates, the brothers decide to open a juke joint aimed at serving the Black community. They enlist the help of their cousin, Delta Slim, a talented singer and blues guitarist. However, the night the club opens, their powerful music inadvertently awakens a malevolent force, unleashing chaos far beyond their expectations.
Anticipated Recognition for the Film
Sinners is projected to receive multiple award nominations, especially for its musical achievements and direction, reflecting the film’s complex themes and Coogler’s visionary approach.
