Why Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler make a commendable creative duo

When Ryan Coogler is directing a film, chances are that you will find Michael B. Jordan in there somewhere. This is a pair we have seen in films including Coogler's feature film directorial debut, Fruitvale Station (2013), Creed (2015), Black Panther (2018) and its sequel (2022), and his recent A-class blockbuster, Sinners (2025).

They have fun together at the sets, which the duo shared in one interview with CBS around Sinners' release. Michael B. Jordan said,

"We were cracking up laughing, trying to keep a straight face sometimes, because these circumstances are so ridiculous."

And this is something that happened when they were filming the most intense scenes in the film. If the air is light during times like this, it is likely to be much lighter in less intense sequences when they work together.

They again appeared together in an interview recently, where they reflected on the bond the duo has shared throughout the years while working together in movies.

Disclaimer: The article includes the author's opinion.

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler share this almost telepathic connection

Both the actor and the director stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where they had a chat about their work together. On his collaboration with the actor, Coogler said in his cool accent that,

"He’s an incredible performer and a consummate professional and when you’re filmmaking, bro, chemistry is important. I’m sure you’ve worked with a lot of your crew for a long time. I see my army from Philly, The Roots, here. They got a chemistry. And if you find a connection, you gotta keep that in an industry like ours."

When the actor was asked to comment on this, he simply implied that if something's not broken then don't fix it. And then everybody laughed. But then he continued about how they share a connection that is almost telepathic in nature. Jordan said,

"Sometimes we don’t even really need to talk too much because I kind of know exactly what he’s looking for, or what he needs."

Connection like that is important in the sense that a director and an actor are two different humans, and seeing the vision of another man is something that makes the life of a director much easier. There's still a long road ahead and we should see them cover most of that path together in Hollywood.

The pair's next collaboration is about the Atlanta Public Schools' cheating scandal

Michael B. Jordan plays Erik Killmonger in Black Panther. (Image via Marvel Entertainment)

After five films together, they are back for a film based on one of the biggest scandals the United States has seen in its education sector, the Atlanta Public Schools' cheating scandal. While it is not clear who Michael B. Jordan will play, it is likely to be one of the teachers caught in this scheme.

Coogler told Time Magazine that this is the kind of subject matter that pulls him. It's simple for him, as he wants to make movies on topics he cares about. This upcoming project is one of those.

Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler's collaboration has proved fruitful, commercially and critically. All thanks to the understanding they share, something we are likely to see strengthening only over the years to come.