Written and directed by Oakland native Ryan Coogler, Jordan cried the first time he read the script. The film delves into Grant’s love for his daughter and family, but it also shows glimpses of his marijuana-dealing past, a prison stint, and attempts to find his calling as a struggling 22-year-old. For Coogler, Jordan was the perfect actor to helm this character-driven piece.
“When writing the script, I knew that we would need a great actor for the part,” Coogler said during a recent interview with rolling out. “Casting is such an important part of the process. I needed somebody who looked like Oscar, who was experienced, and could work on a fast schedule. The actor also needed to be able to produce believable emotion. I went down that line and, for me, Mike was the perfect fit.”
