Ryan Coogler And Michael B. Jordan On Reteaming For 'sinners'

Ryan Coogler was the one who convinced Michael B. Jordan he could be a movie star.

That was 13 years ago on "Fruitvale Station," Jordan's first time leading a feature film and Coogler's first time making one. And it was the start of an enviably rich creative collaboration that would take them from the Rocky franchise to Wakanda .

In "Sinners," Coogler pushed his go-to actor to the next level: Jordan isn't just starring in the genre-bending big screen spectacle with blues music, vampires and Southern lore. He's playing identical twins.

Over the years, Coogler has watched Jordan grow up on screen. While he may have started as the young man being mentored in his films, on "Sinners" he saw Jordan become "the elder statesmen" on camera and off taking newcomers like Miles Caton under his wing.

The two spoke to The Associated Press about upping the ante with "Sinners," the excitement of making something original and how the experience changed them. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.