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Michael B. Jordan claims best actor Oscar for 'Sinners'
Actor Michael B. Jordan secured his first Academy Award on Sunday for his dual role in the horror film Sinners, becoming the seventh Black performer to win in the best actor category. The film, directed by longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler, earned a record 16 Oscar nominations.
A decade of creative partnership
Jordan and Coogler have built one of Hollywood's most successful creative partnerships over the past 12 years. Their collaborations include Fruitvale Station (2013), the Creed trilogy, and Black Panther (2018), where Jordan played the iconic villain Erik Killmonger.
Their latest project, Sinners, follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack, played by Jordan, as they return to Mississippi after working for Al Capone in Chicago. Their plans to open a juke joint unravel when they confront a supernatural force.
Breaking barriers in horror and awards season
Sinners defied industry norms by earning 16 Oscar nominations, the most for any film in history, surpassing the previous record of 14 held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land. The film's success is notable in a genre rarely recognized at major awards ceremonies-horror films typically receive nods only in technical categories like makeup or special effects.
Jordan's win was unexpected, as he triumphed over heavyweights like Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to trailblazers like Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, and Halle Berry, saying, "I stand here because of the people who came before me."
The making of a challenging role
Jordan described Sinners as his most demanding role to date. To prepare, he worked with real-life identical twins to capture the nuances of playing dual characters. "Whatever brother goes first sets the rules," he told Vanity Fair, explaining how he had to match his performance in subsequent takes.
Coogler, who also earned a directing nomination, praised Jordan's commitment. The film's cast includes British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo, both nominated for their performances.
Beyond acting: Producing and directing ambitions
Jordan's career extends beyond acting. In 2022, he became a minority owner of Premier League club Bournemouth, celebrating his Oscar win with the team. He has also expanded into producing through his company, Outlier Society, which holds the rights to adapt Rebecca Yarros' bestselling fantasy series Fourth Wing for Amazon.
Jordan told the BBC that casting for Fourth Wing-a story of dragons, magic, and romance-is still in progress, with no "obvious choices" yet. He also expressed interest in directing projects where he doesn't star, calling it a long-held ambition.
Legacy and future projects
Jordan's Oscar win caps a career that began at 15 with his role as Wallace in HBO's The Wire. His breakthrough came with Fruitvale Station, where critics compared his performance to a young Denzel Washington. Now, with an Academy Award under his belt, he continues to push creative boundaries.
As he told BBC News, "I've wanted to explore other parts of storytelling," signaling more directorial and producing ventures ahead.
