The Big Apple was buzzing as the star-studded premiere of Sinners lit up New York. The film drops in theaters this Friday, April 18th. Directed by the brilliant Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, Creed) and and starring heavyweights like Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, the highly anticipated film dives deep into the roots of the blues, mixing it with mystery, action and vampires. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. “If you dance with the devil he might follow you home,” is the foreboding theme’ The film also stars talented newcomers Wunmi Mosaku and Miles Caton.
Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summers, was at the premiere for Radio One, chopping it up with some of the incredible talents behind this powerful project.
Michael B. Jordan: Double Trouble
Michael B. Jordan has never shied away from a challenge, but Sinners pushed him to new heights as he played twin brothers.
“The technicality of playing two characters at the same time definitely challenged me in a lot of ways,” he reveals. “Throughout this entire movie, I got pushed and challenged scene to scene, and I just wanted to do Ryan justice.”
Jordan also praised Coogler’s masterful writing, “He’s a perfect writer. He writes the whole world so deeply, so wonderfully, and I love every single character on the page. “Ryan and I have a deep trust. He knows how to get the best out of me, and I know he’s going to tell stories that matter.”
Delroy Lindo: Legacy and the Power of Storytelling
Delroy Lindo, a cinematic icon, has been blessing us with his talents for over 40 years. He said he was excited to be a part of the film
“The fact that Ryan asked me in the first place, and when I read the script, so many aspects of the story resonated for me.”
He added that Coogler’s openness to his creative input made it an easy yes.”He was very receptive to the ideas that I had about the script and some things that I felt needed to be worked on,”
As for his character? “I play Delta Slim, a blues musician who comes from a deep, deep, deep, deep tradition in Delta Blues,”
Omar Miller: Fries, Fans, and Flirting
Omar Miller, a favorite on projects like Ballers, brings his charisma to Sinners as Cornbread.
“This is the best movie of the year is why you should see it,” he gushes. “There hasn’t been a film come out that’s better than this — more original, more action packed.”
Playing it close to the vest about his character’s deeper involvement, Miller teased,
“I play Cornbread and I play the bouncer at the party. That’s all I can say.”
On his bad habits? “French fries,” he confessed with a grin.
And ladies, can you slide into his DMs? His response?
“I mean, they can slide. I don’t know if I’m going to see it, but you never know.”
(Translation: there’s hope, but don’t hold your breath!)
For those wondering, Omar didn’t confirm if he’s officially single, but further research reveals he’s as single as a dollar bill so go ahead and slide.
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Yao: Big Heart, Bigger Dreams
Then there’s Yao — one name only, “like Cher”, he joked.
“No, no, sadly,” he laughed when asked if he ever was Cher.
In Sinners, Yao plays a grocery store owner, best friend to the Smokestack Twins (aka Michael B. Jordan and Michael B. Jordan). “He really supports his wife in all of her decisions, and he really loves his friends,” he shared about his character. “But he runs into some trouble that could change that.”
Yao declared that Sinners is a must-see “It is so much more than just vampires. It is music. It is the world. It is an homage to the blues… We even got Buddy Guy in the movie.”
Ryan Coogler: Music and Meaning
Director Ryan Coogler’s passion for the project shines through every frame. Speaking about Sinners, Coogler said, “”Music is in our DNA. This story is about where we come from, where our strength is rooted. The blues is Black America’s birth cry and love song at the same time.”
On working with Michael B. Jordan again, Coogler disclosed,
“Mike is family. When we work together, it’s a shorthand, it’s trust, it’s knowing we’re trying to make something bigger than both of us.”
Coogler revealed that he and Jordan are planning to team up to produce a film about Mansa Musa, the 14th-century Mali emperor and historically one of the wealthiest people.
From the haunting strains of Delta Slim’s blues to the adrenaline rush of the supernatural twists, Sinners is a love letter to culture, music, and legacy. With a powerhouse team both in front and behind the camera, you’re going to want to see it. Twice.
Article by Jazmyn Summers. Photos and video by Melissa Nyomi of Melshotya You can hear Jazmyn every morning on “Jazmyn in the Morning “on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz and Grownfolkjamz.com. Subscribe to Jazmyn Summers’ YouTube. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.