Ryan Coogler, director of Fruitvale Station and the Creed films, confirmed earlier this week that the role of Elijah ‘Smoke’ Moore in Sinners was originally intended for the Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis. This role would have been the Pontifex Maximus’ second acting credit, the first being as the motion capture actor for Judy Hopps in Zootopia.

Shortly before filming began in 2024, the Successor of the Prince of the Apostles fell ill; an illness he would eventually and unfortunately succumb to.

Coogler then had a choice: wait for the Sovereign of the Vatican City State to possibly recover from his illness, or simply recast the character. The director eventually settled on the latter, choosing to cast Michael B. Jordan as Smoke alongside his role as Elias ‘Stack’ Moore.

Adam Berry