Warner Bros.’ current financial woes are well-documented, with recent flops like Joker: Folie à Deux and Mickey 17 contributing to a potential $100 million loss. In an effort to turn things around, studio heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have caught David Zaslav’s attention. However, their favoring of filmmaker-driven projects over IP-based blockbusters might not be enough to save the studio.
Enter Ryan Coogler, the director behind a string of hits including Black Panther and its sequel, Wakanda Forever. This time around, Coogler takes on an original concept with Sinners, set in 1930s Mississippi. The film follows twin brothers who return to their hometown to open up a juke joint, exploring themes of music as a bridge between generations.
Coogler’s past successes showcase his dynamic directorial style and ability to craft high-grade entertainment. His partnership with young movie star Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright has yielded critical acclaim and commercial success. With Sinners, Coogler gets a blank check to create an original blockbuster.
While there are concerns about the film’s supernatural elements and bloated runtime, the music-driven narrative is undoubtedly the most promising aspect of Sinners. The score, composed by Ludwig Göransson, brings together past, present, and future under one roof, creating a stunning sequence that has been hailed as this year’s coolest thing.
With Coogler at the helm, Warner Bros.’ chances of success increase significantly. A projected $40 million opening weekend and universal critical acclaim could pave the way for Coogler to direct more original tentpoles in the future. Even if Sinners is a commercial letdown, it won’t be the end of the world – a Black Panther sequel with Denzel Washington is still on the cards.
In conclusion, Ryan Coogler’s talent and dynamic style make him the perfect candidate to save Warner Bros.’ struggling franchise. With Sinners, he gets the chance to prove that an original blockbuster can succeed in today’s IP-driven landscape. As a selling point unto himself, Coogler has the power to make Warner Bros. great again.
Source: https://www.theringer.com/2025/04/16/movies/sinners-ryan-coogler-movies-director-career-filmmography