Feature: Michael B. Jordan Makes Waves with ‘Sinners’

You ever wonder if you keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s gonna follow you home? Have you been looking for a new thriller to satisfy that thirst? Well, this new link-up between Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan is sure to quench that thirst. This sexy new film is great for any April day, whether you’re looking to stay comfy with a big bowl of popcorn or dress according to that southern vampiric theme. Warner Bros. Pictures gave the press an inside look at what’s to come in this new blockbuster film hitting the big screen on April 18th.

Coogler’s film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, Jayme Lawson, Miles Caton, Omar Miller, Wunmi Mosaku and Jack O’Connell. The film is produced by Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Ryan Coogler.

A New World is Born

This is not the first time Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have worked together. From Black Panther to Fruitvale Station, the actor and director have worked with each other through different stages of their careers. Jordan most recently directed his first movie, which has changed his perspective on the craft of filmmaking and directing. Jordan discusses their relationship as it’s evolved over the years.

With this one, being my first movie that I’ve done since I directed my first film, just kind of having a deeper sense of empathy of what Ryan kind of goes through on a day-to-day basis, all the hats that he must wear, the the amount of places that he has to be at the same time.

Jordan stars in the movie in a dual role, twins who come back home to visit their past before they leave it behind. But once they return, they find that something deeper is lurking in the shadows. But Jordan doesn’t work in this film alone, he’s joined by a heavily stacked cast.

All the Meat and Potatoes

Crooklyn and Da Five Bloods star Delroy Lindo shared his behind-the-scenes process for just how in-depth his role got with the stunts

There was an openness which trickles down from Ryan and from Mike in terms of the generosity shown to all of the actors. So if something was presented to me, there were a couple things presented to me in the fight scenes where I said, ‘Can I maybe try this?’ And absolutely, there was always space to incorporate what felt more organic for me as an actor.

Coogler was intentional in adding a character that embodied what the true deep south looked like during this period. After doing research for this role, Li found an integral part of the Chinese American community embedded within the Mississippi Delta. Soon Li found the deeper connection that stemmed beyond the lines on her script.

They were such a crucial part of the world at the time they were at the time they were the only people who were able to open up grocery stores specifically for the black and white communities, but they also endured a lot of prejudice themselves.

Wunmi Mosaku plays a magical character, ‘Annie’, on screen who develops a relationship with one of Jordan’s characters. In playing this role, Mosaku channeled many different avenues to land on her character, but one element that helped her dive into the full sense of her character was seeing the world come to life through the set and world building.

Annie’s shop; her home is in this picturesque environment with these massive shaded oaks and shaded. I mean, it’s so beautiful and romantic and really add to the magic of their relationship, their love, it kind of elevates it. I love how in the scene when we… see Annie and Smoke for the first time. Is it dandelions you’ve got blowing behind smoke? Love that.

Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld understood going into a role like Mary that she would have to step out of herself to channel a new feeling within her for her character. The actor, best known for her roles in Hawkeye and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, shared her love for the cast and crew who worked tirelessly to create the immersive experience of “Sinners”.

I loved like walking in there and hearing everyone’s shoes sort of creak on the wood and the chairs that we see a little bit in the movie of the juke coming together. You know, and it’s just like you wonder where it all came from and how they got it all together. And it was all these people that are in there that made it happen, that brought it together. And we had just the most incredible team, some of whom you mentioned, bring this to life and make this feel like a safe space that we could we could go home.

Ryan Coogler’s new film is set to have you on the edge of your seat. Besides, you can keep dancing with the devil, or one day he’s gonna follow you home. “Sinners” will be released in theatres on April 31st. Let us know your thoughts on Instagram @VALLEYmag!

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