BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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Michael B. Jordan arrives for his GQ interview in his signature low-key style: a black hoodie, black joggers, and an air of quiet intensity. The actor-director is in the midst of juggling multiple projects, including pre production for his “Thomas Crown Affair” remake, which he’ll both star in and direct, and promoting “Sinners”, his fourth collaboration with Ryan Coogler. “I’ve got deadlines to hit before the town goes on break,” he says, sipping coffee at Granville, a restaurant near his Los Angeles home. Despite ordering from the spot “all the time,” this is his first time dining in—a reflection of his guarded privacy. When asked about his sparse public appearances in 2024, Jordan laughs: “That’s by design. I don’t like sharing much. It adds to the mystique—people wondering what I’m up to.” His Instagram photo dumps, however, spark frenzy among fans, who often comment, “Guys wake up, our husband posted!” But Jordan’s quiet year was anything but idle. “I’m building a life where I can choose to step back if I want. Maybe take a year off. But right now, the grind is part of the legacy.”
Jordan’s next big project is Sinners, a supernatural thriller set in the 1930s, where he plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack—a role he describes as “the closest to my real personality.” Smoke is the stoic, determined type Jordan often embodies, while Stack is a gregarious charmer. “When my friends see Stack, they’ll recognize me,” he grins. The film marks his fourth collaboration with Ryan Coogler, who has been a pivotal figure in Jordan’s career since “Fruitvale Station”. Coogler notes that this is the first time Jordan is playing “fully formed men” in his films, reflecting the actor’s growth and maturity. The project came about after Jordan jokingly pitched Coogler to direct another idea, knowing the auteur only helms his own scripts. Coogler countered with Sinners, and Jordan shrugged, “All right, we can do that too.”
In addition to acting, Jordan is also making waves as a director. Following the success of Creed III, he’s now reimagining The Thomas Crown Affair, a passion project he’s nurtured for over a decade. “I didn’t have enough life experience to play Crown before. Now’s the perfect time,” he says, referencing Pierce Brosnan’s 1999 version that inspired him during his early New York auditions. Jordan’s home basement, which doubles as a “man cave” complete with a pool table and an upside-down whiteboard hiding Crown schematics, serves as his creative hub. He admits the pressure is higher this time around: “The second film might be harder. Now there are expectations. Can you do it again?”
Photographed by Jack Bridgeland
Jordan thrives on challenges, but he’s quick to clarify that it’s not fear that drives him—it’s adrenaline. “I’ve seen enough struggle. When opportunity comes, you run your race,” he says. This relentless drive, however, comes at a cost. “There’s a lot I’m sacrificing,” he admits, referencing relationships and personal time. “Everything has a price, and you feel it more as you age.” Despite his workaholic tendencies, Jordan is eyeing a more balanced future. “I’m hoping one day something clicks: ‘You don’t have to work at the same pace.’ I’ve said this for 10 years… but I really think it’s coming soon.”
When the conversation turns to his Creed III co-star Jonathan Majors, who faced legal troubles in recent years, Jordan doesn’t shy away from the topic. He praises Majors’ resilience: “He’s doing great, just got engaged. I’m proud of how he’s handled it. That’s my boy.” When asked if he’d work with Majors again, Jordan doesn’t hesitate: “Yes. Yes.”
At home, Jordan unwinds with NBA games blaring across three floors and a Japanese grill gifted by his creative director Yazz—a nod to his love for Japan, where he’s traveled five times. “Nobody gives me gifts,” he jokes, though Yazz insists it’s about the gesture, not grandeur. Family remains on his mind, and while he’s “not tripping” about settling down yet, he admits, “I’d want to be the best dad. But right now, I’m focused on this chapter.” Jordan’s GQ cover—iced-out grill, Rick Owens jacket, and a prison-cell aesthetic—has sparked debate, but he leans into the vibe: “It’s giving ice-cold villain,” as one fan noted. For Jordan, it’s all part of the mystique. “I’m competitive. I want to see how far I can go,” he says. And with Sinners, Thomas Crown, and beyond, he’s just getting started.
First photograph, Jacket – Moncler x Rick Owens
Turtleneck – Tom Ford
Hat – Stetson
Earrings and rings – David Yurman
Second photograph, Jacket – Jacquemus
Shirt – Diomene by Damir Doma
Pants – R13
Shoes – Camperlab
Sunglasses – Gucci
Read the full interview and behind-the-scenes coverage at GQ.com.
