Ryan Coogler has shared rare insights into how pitching Sinners to longtime collaborator Michael B. Jordan nearly went wrong.

During a recent appearance on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler, the 39-year-old filmmaker recalled the first phone call he had with the 38-year-old actor, whom he worked with on multiple projects.

Coogler explained that he was still putting the screenplay together and didn't want to mention the project too early, knowing how busy Jordan’s schedule was.

"How it ended up working: I was trying to get the screenplay together, cause Mike’s busy, and I didn’t wanna say, 'Hey, I got a thing,' and then have him waiting for a script," The Black Panther director said. "I didn’t need him blowing my phone up, like, 'Hey, where it’s at?'"

However, the situation flipped when Jordan unexpectedly called him to pitch a different project, forcing Coogler to eventually turn him down.

"I’m like, 'Look, I’m working on a thing, I’m bringing this to you," the Fruitvale Station director added. "This is what it is: it’s twins, it’s period, it’s vampires."

He admitted Jordon’s reaction made him nervous.

"I remember how he reacted cause he just got quiet for a long time," Coogler said with a laugh. "And I was like, 'Oh shit, did I lose him?'"

However, the Creed actor reacted positively, describing it as an interesting project.

Sinners, which was released in theatres in the U.S. on April 18, 2025, went on to become a major success, grossing $368 million worldwide against a $90-100 million budget.