Spike Lee is applauding the “Sinners” deal.
“Sinners” is a film that Ryan Coogler released in April 2025, joined by his wife, Zinzi, as a producer, People reports. It tells the story of twin brothers, both played by Michael B. Jordan, who face a dilemma with vampires at a juke joint in 1930s Clarksdale, MS, according to USA Today. The film earned $366.7 million worldwide from a $90 million production budget, per Box Office Mojo and a previous AFROTECH™ article.
“Eternal gratitude. My heart is bursting with it,” Ryan Coogler wrote in a letter to supporters, Deadline reports. “I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see ‘Sinners.’ Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterward and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work schedules. Who saw the film in groups.”
The film’s impressive earnings are matched by its powerful backstory on generational wealth. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Coogler’s arrangement with Warner Bros. allowed him to pocket a portion of gross ticket sales ahead of the studio’s cut as well as a percentage of the box office return from “Sinners” once it was released. Additionally, he will obtain ownership of the film in 25 years, which could lead to millions down the line.
Spike Lee, an acclaimed filmmaker, was amused by the “Sinners” deal, calling it a “power move,” in an interview with Business Insider.
“I commend Ryan and Zinzi, his wife, for pulling that power move. It’s great. I didn’t know anything about that until I read the story about it. I think it was the smart move. I know that the companies that passed on it, they wished they hadn’t. You have to give a shout-out to Pam [Abdy] and Michael [De Luca], the co-chairs of Warner Bros. They bet on Black,” Lee told the outlet.
Lee also mentions the only film he currently owns within his portfolio.
“I own ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ that’s the only one,” he said of the romantic comedy released in 1986.
