In the latest episode of Proximity Media’s In Proximity podcast, Sinners Oscar-nominated director, writer, and producer Ryan Coogler reunites with longtime collaborator and Oscar-nominated actor Michael B. Jordan for a conversation that feels equal parts masterclass and homecoming. The episode offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most electric director-actor partnerships working in film today.
At the heart of the discussion, Coogler and Jordan unpack the creative shorthand they’ve built over years of collaboration, along with the meticulous level of craft that went into shaping Sinners. Coogler pulls back the curtain on his spreadsheet-driven approach to world-building, detailing how he mapped timelines, ages, and the parallel but diverging lives of twins Smoke and Stack. Jordan, meanwhile, dives into the transformational work required to embody both characters, from keeping separate journals for each twin to developing distinct vocal registers tied to their shared childhood trauma. He also reveals how chakra work helped determine which brother would be filmed first on set, as well as the specific phrases and vocal cues he used to seamlessly shift between characters. It’s a rare and revealing look at process, trust, and the kind of creative partnership that elevates storytelling to something unforgettable
In this episode of Proximity Media’s In Proximity podcast, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan break down the obsessive level of craft behind Sinners, with a particular focus on the twin characters Smoke and Stack. Coogler details how his fixation on timeline, age, and historical accuracy led him to build an extensive spreadsheet mapping the twins’ lives, key divergences, and defining choices, using World War I and the blues era as anchors for their backstory. That groundwork became essential in shaping the emotional logic of the film.
Jordan, meanwhile, reveals the technical precision behind portraying both twins, from working closely with dialect coach Beth McGuire to developing distinct vocal octaves rooted in shared childhood trauma. Smoke’s voice was constructed from pieced-together late-1930s recordings, while Stack’s drew inspiration from an older Southern woman, with key phrases helping Jordan instantly switch between characters on set.
Together, Coogler and Jordan also unpack the twins’ dark, violent history, including family trauma, fractured relationships, criminal work in Chicago, and their encounters with organized crime. While acknowledging that Smoke and Stack are deeply flawed and often brutal men, Coogler emphasizes the challenge and excitement of exploring their remaining humanity. The conversation highlights how Jordan’s natural likability as an actor allowed the filmmakers to push the characters into morally dangerous territory while still inviting the audience to engage with them on a human level.
In Proximity is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
