Following the final round of Oscar category voting by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on 5/3, film experts believe Michael B. Jordan is now the frontrunner for the best actor award, surpassing Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.
According to predictions by experts and editors at Gold Derby, the actor currently has a 57% chance of winning the golden statue, while Chalamet's odds are 29%. Previously, Chalamet dominated predictions, winning several pre-Oscar awards such as the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards 2026. However, this changed immediately after the Actors Awards — a key indicator for the Oscars — on 1/3, when Jordan was named the winner.
Jordan's win was a decisive factor, as the Actors Awards took place during the Oscar voting period, giving Jordan an advantage in the final stretch. Meanwhile, support for Chalamet declined after he faced criticism from the ballet and opera communities for remarks deemed disrespectful to those fields.
According to W Magazine, with his latest work, Michael B. Jordan takes on one of the most challenging roles of his career, simultaneously portraying two twin brothers with opposing personalities. As the elder brother Smoke, the actor displays a calm and cautious demeanor, contrasting with Stack's free-spirited, reckless, and easily tempted nature. When Stack becomes a vampire, the actor reveals Smoke's complex psychological state when deciding whether to end his brother's life.
He and director Ryan Coogler have collaborated for over a decade on many films, starting with Fruitvale Station (2013), followed by three successful installments of Creed and Black Panther. When introduced to Sinners, Jordan was surprised when Coogler revealed the actor would play two roles.
Most of the character differences were already written into the script by Coogler. Stack is image-conscious, while Smoke is quiet, acting as the family's protector. However, Jordan added small details in their behavior and habits to clarify their personalities. In his imagination, Stack frequently reminded and looked after his younger brother's appearance.
Jordan spent much time researching the relationships between real-life twins. He worked with consultants, talking to many identical siblings to understand how they interact. Through this, the actor realized they complement each other: one excels in areas where the other is not strong.
Jordan stated he tried many preparation methods for the role, including energy and mental exercises to understand how childhood trauma affected each character. The role of Smoke particularly troubled Jordan. The character prioritizes family, ready to protect loved ones. On W Magazine, he said he cried multiple times during filming and while watching the movie, as the story evoked strong emotions in him.
In a conversation with Deadline, Michael B. Jordan said his relationship with director Ryan Coogler was one of the factors shaping his artistic path. Before Fruitvale Station, Jordan wanted a new turning point in his career. At that time, Coogler convinced Jordan he could become a film star and wanted to make his debut film with him. Those words made Jordan decide to trust the young filmmaker.
According to Jordan, years of collaboration helped them understand each other's thinking, allowing them to be creative on set. Coogler shaped the story's vision, while he focused on portraying the character.
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Actor Michael B. Jordan. Photo: TFG Media |
Michael B. Jordan, 39, is an American actor, director, and producer. In 2001, he made his professional acting debut in Hardball, starring alongside Keanu Reeves. Later, Jordan gained attention as Wallace in The Wire, then became a familiar face on the small screen with Friday Night Lights (2009-2011) and Parenthood (2010-2011).
On IndieWire, the artist stated that his time working in television helped him grasp the fundamentals of acting. The demanding filming schedule, including days requiring over 100 script pages, forced actors to prepare thoroughly. At that time, leading film roles for Black male actors were limited. Jordan could only take on projects where his auditions were successful.
Filmmakers Peter Berg and Jason Katims — who collaborated with Jordan on Friday Night Lights and Parenthood — advised him to think about creating opportunities instead of waiting for invitations from crews. He gradually became interested in producing, spending time reading books and finding potential stories to develop into films.
Besides acting, he runs the production company Outlier Society. In 2020, People magazine named Jordan the "Sexiest Man Alive". In 2023, he debuted as a director with Creed III, which grossed over 276 million USD globally.
The artist is completing post-production for his next project — a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), expected next year. In it, Jordan directs and stars.
Facing the chance to win his first Oscar, he believes that consistent quality in each work is more important than awards. "This is our latest version. I am changing and ready for the next step," he told IndieWire.
Que Chi (according to Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire)
