Why Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler Keep Collaborating

Filmmaker Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's creative partnership has produced five films, and their latest, Sinners, earned a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, including an Actor in a Leading Role nod for Jordan for his dual role as twin brothers Smoke and Stack.

On The Tonight Show in April 2025, Coogler praised Jordan as an incredible performer and a consummate professional, saying chemistry matters in filmmaking and that when you find a connection you keep it. Jordan agreed that if it is not broken they do not fix it, calling them like-minded and noting they often need little conversation to understand one another.

Jordan described their on-set shorthand, saying he watches what Coogler anticipates and tries to make the director's job and day easier so they can work efficiently; Coogler summed it up as a shared feeling. The actor also said he is pretty much always a yes when Coogler pitches a project and quickly moves to read and get to work.

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