Sinners Star Delroy Lindo on What Happened to Blade, His Other Vampire Movie

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One day, Delroy Lindo unexpectedly received a text from director Ryan Coogler of “Creed” and “Black Panther” fame: “Do you play the piano?” Although Lindo hadn’t played in years, he had dabbled with it decades ago for Spike Lee’s 1994 film “Crooklyn,” where he portrayed a struggling musician. After some back-and-forth messages, Lindo asked Coogler: “What’s this all about?

For the past ten years, Coogler has been immersed in crafting his “Black Panther” duology. Following this, he penned “Sinners”, a fresh narrative centered around twin brothers revisiting their modest Mississippi hometown in 1932 to establish a club. Coogler’s frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordan, was slated to portray both Smoke and Stack, who gained notoriety as gangsters in Chicago earlier on. Coogler had doubts about Lindo’s piano abilities due to his interest in casting him as Delta Slim, a musician known for his exceptional piano skills, though his love for alcohol may outshine them. To make a splash at the grand opening, Stack extends an irresistible invitation to Slim to perform, which he accepts.

Lindo shared, “Coogler gave me the script for Sinners, and naturally I had some thoughts after reading it. Once we began discussing it in-depth, things really took off.

Running a small business is tough enough on its own, but it becomes even more challenging when uninvited predators arrive, seeking entry! Sadly for Smoke, Stack, Slim, and their companions, what should have been an extraordinary first night takes a gruesome turn into a nightmare as malice comes knocking at the door.

If it seems like Lindo’s involvement in a vampire movie rings a bell, that’s because back in 2021, Lindo was cast for Marvel’s highly-anticipated Blade film. This announcement in 2019 created quite a stir when it was revealed that two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali would play the role previously made famous by Wesley Snipes. However, six years after that much-discussed Comic-Con panel, various directors and writers have come and gone from the project, with no start or release date yet announced, and Lindo has since moved on to Sinners.

In the three decades since Crooklyn, how did you manage to convincingly portray a piano and harmonica player? To prepare for this role, I worked closely with Ludwig Göransson and his wife Serena McKinney, who were the film’s musical directors. They are highly skilled in their field, making the process immersive and comprehensive. Although my singing didn’t make it into the final cut, I can assure you that it wasn’t because I lack vocal abilities! [Laughs] Perhaps others may have a different view on that matter. However, Ludwig and Serena were consistent in their approach, and with everyone working together towards the same goal, we knew exactly what needed to be accomplished.

What truly captivates me are two unique acting styles: impersonating a tipsy individual, often referred to as ‘drunk-acting’, and phone conversations, or ‘phone-acting’. In our series, Delta’s love for alcohol is humorously portrayed through his physical comedy. For instance, the way he reacts to an Irish beer being opened or his transformation when offered garlic, hinting at vampirism. Walking that fine line must be quite challenging, no? You wouldn’t want to veer too far and turn into a stereotype.
From my perspective, while performing those scenes, I was indeed aware of Delta’s drinking, but contrary to what you might think, it wasn’t a conscious effort to act drunk. Instead, the playfulness and lightness in my approach guided me through these scenes. I didn’t focus on portraying drunkenness per se, but rather concentrated on other elements that I hoped would suggest intoxication.

During your acting career, you’ve collaborated with numerous leading men such as Denzel Washington, Jet Li, Nicolas Cage, and John Travolta. On Sinners, you had a distinctive experience working with Michael. Was there anything specific about Michael that stood out to you?

Michael’s authenticity and his down-to-earth demeanor truly resonated with me. From the start of our collaboration, Michael was an open and sincere individual. He was genuinely appreciative of my work and its impact on him, not in a flattering or servile way, but as one professional acknowledging another. The way he communicated this admiration to me was unique – it fostered a sense of tranquility that made our collaboration enjoyable. Working with big-name actors isn’t always conducive to such ease and open communication, but Michael B. Jordan was an exception in this regard.

As a cinephile, the news about this project had me buzzing, knowing Ryan was diving back into his own creative realm. Working with directors like John Woo, David Mamet, Ron Howard, and the legendary Spike Lee is an honor, but what truly sets Ryan apart? To me, he’s a unique talent because he’s always crystal-clear about his vision and approach, making every step of the process smoother. He carries a generous spirit that’s infectious – as a communicator, storyteller, colleague, collaborator. I can only praise the experience of working with such an open director.

In casual conversation, we’d occasionally discuss Chadwick Boseman. To clarify your question, I think it’s safe to say that there is an unspoken bond among us, stemming from our shared admiration and respect for him, as well as the sorrow we feel at his passing – everyone grieves differently. However, our discussions didn’t delve into this specific topic, but it was always present in our minds. The overall dynamic with Chadwick centered around remembering what a talented actor and gentleman he was.

Have you noticed that your recent films, including Da 5 Bloods, The Harder They Fall, and Sinners, have been successful ensemble projects led by Black directors? These aren’t just small movies, there’s real investment involved. Is this something you’ve consciously considered, and do you hope this trend will continue in the industry, leading to more films like these being made?
I certainly hope so. I try not to make assumptions, but from my perspective, the creativity displayed in Da 5 Bloods, The Harder They Fall, and Sinners seems to set a certain standard for future filmmakers. I can only pray that this level of quality continues to rise. I’m not sure if Jeymes Samuels and Ryan Coogler represent a new wave of creators, but I certainly hope they do. I also hope their work, along with that of Spike Lee who paved the way for filmmakers like myself, will continue to thrive. We’ll see what happens in the future.

Are you finding it odd that I’ve been cast in two vampire-themed movies, Sinners and Blade with Mahershala Ali? Some might wonder if I have a fascination with killing vampires, but for me, it’s more about the quality of the work, the directors, and the stories being told. It’s just happenstance.

What drew you to the prospect of Blade? For one, the filmmakers and Marvel executives welcomed my ideas right from the start, which was empowering and reassuring. Secondly, when I began conversing with Bassam [Tariq], the director, the writer, the producers, there was a remarkable openness to my suggestions. As we brainstormed, ideas for the character gradually took shape, and this development truly intrigued me. It seemed that Blade might become a community leader, although I’m unsure about the specifics or the current status of the project.

It seems that “Blade” is one of two Marvel projects you’ve joined, but it hasn’t yet been released. Back in 2016, you were part of the pilot for the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff, Marvel’s Most Wanted, which ABC decided not to turn into a series. I wonder if perhaps the fourth project will be successful for you? Are you starting to feel like this is a personal matter?

Regardless of my involvement, I certainly wish Mahershala Ali all the best in landing the role of Blade, should the project proceed.

What other aspirations does Delroy Lindo have in his acting career aside from possibly landing a Marvel role?
I am currently working on a project that I will direct. This is a property I acquired the rights to some time ago, and since then, I’ve been busy with fundraising and financing. I can’t reveal too much about it just yet, but I am very dedicated to seeing this project come to life. Additionally, I am writing a book that shares elements of my personal story. I believe this is a tale worth sharing, and I am eager to be part of its telling.

Among the three things that are currently thrilling me is the ongoing work on high-quality projects. This isn’t a mere exaggeration or jest, but genuine excitement. In my career journey, I’ve witnessed exceptionally talented individuals slip through the cracks for various reasons, missing out on their big breaks. So, the fact that I’m still actively working is incredibly rewarding and heartening.

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2025-04-22 01:55