Sinners’ Ryan Coogler Reveals Disney Inspiration Behind Vampire Movie
Ryan Coogler addressed a major creative choice in Sinners, offering new insight into the origins of his 1930s-set vampire story. The writer director explained why a Disney Channel Original Movie unexpectedly shaped the film’s mythology. He said it directly influenced the creation of its central antagonist.
Ryan Coogler names surprising inspiration behind Sinners
Ryan Coogler said Disney Channel’s 2001 film The Luck of the Irish unexpectedly inspired Sinners. He explained that the DCOM sparked his early interest in cultural links between Irish traditions and Black culture. Coogler told Deadline that the movie became “a touchpoint” when developing the character Remmick, played by Jack O’Connell.
Coogler added that the film introduced him to similarities in Irish folk music and the music he grew up with. He noted that there was “a small Irish community in The Bay,” which encouraged ongoing conversations in his household about cultural overlap. During the panel, he also acknowledged an audience member who worked on the DCOM, saying, “God bless you,” and added that the movie had many fans in Oakland. Coogler said, “We used to watch that movie like crazy.”
He described The Luck of the Irish as a story about Kyle O’Reilly Johnson, a high school basketball player. The character must recover his family’s stolen gold coin from an evil leprechaun. Directed by Paul Hoen and written by Andrew Price and Mark Edward Edens, the film explores heritage and identity.
Coogler outlined how these ideas informed Sinners. The film follows twin brothers Stack and Smoke, played by Michael B. Jordan, as they return to their Mississippi hometown in 1932. Their juke joint becomes the hunting ground of O’Connell’s character. Coogler said the project also serves as a nod to Bram Stoker and noted that Stoker “gave us the first context around the concept of a vampire in popular culture.”
He explained that Remmick was written as a pre colonial Irishman with a layered backstory. Coogler praised O’Connell for giving a “beautiful performance” and said the actor “brought the memory of his father to the role.” He added that this mirrored how he honored his uncle while making the film.
Source: Comingsoon.net