Ryan Coogler, Tessa Thompson, Octavia Spencer, and Daniel Kaluuya are part of an impressive lineup of presenters for the upcoming American Cinematheque tribute to Michael B. Jordan. The celebrated actor and director will be honored as the 39th recipient of this prestigious award in a ceremony scheduled for November 20 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Jordan is well-known for his fruitful collaboration with Coogler, with the duo teaming up on five significant films: “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed,” “Black Panther,” “Wakanda Forever,” and most recently, the successful “Sinners.” In “Sinners,” Jordan portrays twin gangsters, Smoke and Stack, in a groundbreaking R-rated vampire film that has garnered $367 million globally, marking it as one of the top-grossing original horror films ever.
Thompson joins Jordan in the “Creed” franchise, where Jordan directed the latest installment, “Creed III.” Spencer’s contribution to the industry includes her role as Wanda Johnson in “Fruitvale Station,” which tells the tragic story of Oscar Grant III, a young man killed by BART police in 2009. This film helped establish Jordan as a standout talent following his early television roles in “All My Children,” “The Wire,” and “Friday Night Lights.” Kaluuya is also noted for his performance alongside Jordan in “Black Panther,” a film that made history as the first superhero movie nominated for Best Picture.
The list of presenters also includes notable names such as Ben Affleck, Mahershala Ali, and Bradley Cooper, who himself received the American Cinematheque tribute in 2018. Additional presenters include Delroy Lindo (“Sinners”), Phylicia Rashad (“Creed”), and producer Irwin Winkler (“Creed”), collectively celebrating Jordan’s contributions to cinema.
The evening will feature a special musical performance of the original song “I Lied to You” from “Sinners,” showcasing breakout talent Miles Caton, along with renowned musicians Ludwig Göransson and Raphael Saadiq. Additionally, Donna Langley will present the Power of Cinema Award to Charles H. Rivkin, the chairman of the Motion Picture Association.
Past recipients of the American Cinematheque Award include a slew of Hollywood legends such as Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, and Julia Roberts, reflecting a legacy of excellence in the film industry. Last year’s award was presented to Jessica Chastain, emphasizing the event’s tradition of honoring remarkable contributions to American cinema. This year’s ceremony promises to be a night of celebration, highlighting the significant achievements and bright future of Michael B. Jordan.