Michael B. Jordan Says ‘Sinners’ Twins Mirror Him & Ryan Coogler

Michael B. Jordan recently earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for his dual role in the commercial and critical hit “Sinners.” The actor just revealed that the twins at the center of the vampire drama are very similar to himself and the film’s director, and multiple Oscar nominee, Ryan Coogler.

Jordan plays twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore, known as the Smokestack twins, but he shared an interesting fact about the similarities between the characters and the actor-director duo.

Per PEOPLE, while speaking at the Palm Springs Film Festival where he was honored with the Icon Award for his performance in “Sinners,” Jordan took the time out during his acceptance speech to thank Coogler and offer a heart-warming tribute that circled back to the film.

“Like Smoke and Stack, we’re two sides of the same coin,” Jordan said of the bond between the two that dates back to Coogler’s 2012 feature debut, “Fruitvale Station.”

The “Black Panther” star continued, adding: “We’ve been building something special together film after film. You push me, I push you. And together we make work that neither one of us could do alone. You give me room to take risks, and I bring everything I have to your vision. ‘Sinners’ is proof of that.”

Elsewhere in his speech, Jordan expressed his gratitude for receiving the honor, which was presented to him by Colman Domingo.

“It feels good to be here amongst friends and colleagues in a room full of people committed to making the art and amplifying voices, cultures, and the power of film,” he said. “This film reminds us of what’s possible when great artists come together and are given the freedom to create from their souls.”

Shortly after he learned that he was an official Oscar nominee, Jordan spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about what he did as soon as he received the news.

“My mom was my first call,” he told the outlet earlier this month. “It was great. A lot of tears and the reason why I’m even in this industry and why I’m acting at all — why that was even an idea. To talk to the woman who started it all first meant the world.”

Addressing the massive success of “Sinners,” which set a host of box-office records, Jordan noted that the film resonates with audiences.

“It’s really a testament to the film as a whole and all the pieces involved and the people that went to go see this movie and watched this film,” he said.

Speaking with Deadline after it was revealed that “Sinners,” broke the record for the most nominations for a film of all-time with 16, Coogler told the outlet that the recognition was unexpected and “pretty crazy.” The previous record was set 10 years ago by “La La Land” in 2016.

“I did not have any expectations when it came to the recognition of what they [the team] did,” Coogler told the outlet exclusively. “For me, people just showing up to the movies and having a good time, that would’ve been enough. That is worth all the effort. But that people would consider the craft and the achievements that went into it individually. It’s so rewarding.”

The director also shared his excitement for Jordan, their 13-year friendship and collaboration on films, including the “Creed” franchise.

“To see him achieve this recognition by his peers, it’s just the best feeling to have. We just feel really, really, really happy that they said yes to the project, first of all, and happy for them,” Coogler said.

Continuing his accolades for his “Sinners” performance, Jordan was recently named as a 2026 nominee for the BAFTA Awards, when the British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced this year’s honorees on Tuesday, January 27.