Ryan Coogler CLAPS BACK at Critics of Historic ‘Sinners’ Deal: “I Have Grossed Over $2 Billion”

Ryan Coogler has hit back at critics of his monumental ‘Sinners’ movie deal.

Full story below…

The director, whose gargantuan success also spans the ‘Black Panther’ franchise, made history with the deal he scored with Warner Bros to direct the Michael B. Jordan-led hit.

For, the 38-year-old became one of just a handful of names to negotiate a pact which will see the film’s rights awarded to him after 25 years.

The Promixity Media founder also nets a portion of the ‘Sinners’ box office gross in what is known in the industry as “first dollar gross.”

And while many hailed the game-changing deal, a sect of others have scoffed. Some critics are pointing to the potential of deals of that ilk to adversely flip the film business on its head. Others, rather suspiciously, have been loud in their disapproval yet mute as to why.

Speaking with host Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, Coogler was quizzed about the chatter.

Responding candidly, he said:

“I’m not the first filmmaker to get any of these deals and Warner Bros is not the first studio to provide this deal to a filmmaker. A lot has been made of my deal in particular… I’m not totally sure why, [but] I have my guesses.”

Continuing, he added:

“I’ve been in the industry long enough to know what kinds of deals are possible, and nothing about this deal is a new thing.”

In a compelling conclusion, Coogler said:

“The attention on this film outside of being a piece of art and commerce has been very…interesting. This film was very important to me.

As a writer-director, I’ve made over two billion dollars at the global box office, and I’m not yet 40 years old. It’s taken a lot of time, commitment, and energy, and I’ve missed out on a lot of things in my life making films that will always be owned by other people. For this one, because it was so personal and because I had the ability to negotiate, I asked for a few things that were very important to me for this project.

For what it was about and what it meant to me and my family. And thankfully, I was able to get those things I was asking for.”

Watch the clip:

“I’ve been in the industry long enough to know what kinds of deals are possible, and nothing about this deal is a new thing.” – Ryan Coogler discussing his contract for “Sinners” pic.twitter.com/NlVb6S6sNB

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 25, 2025

Powerful!

Check out That Grape Juice‘s EXCLUSIVE sitdown with Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan below: