Actor/director/producer Michael B. Jordan will be honored with the 39th American Cinematheque Award at a Beverly Hills gala Thursday evening.
“The career of Michael B. Jordan has been an unparalleled showcase for the combination of superb talent and purposeful vision that has made him a major power in today’s movie business,” American Cinematheque board chair Rick Nicita said in a statement when the honor was announced.
Jordan gained early recognition with roles in “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood,” followed by a breakout performance in 2013’s “Fruitvale Station.” He went on to star in “Black Panther” and the “Creed” franchise, making his directorial debut with “Creed III.”
“Most recently, his outstanding performances (yes, two performances) in the worldwide smash `Sinners’ have cemented his place in the upper tier of movie stars, now and in the future,” Nicita said.
Jordan portrays twins in “Sinners,” marking his fifth collaboration with director Ryan Coogler. He is also set to direct and star in a new adaptation of “The Thomas Crown Affair.”
Jordan joins a list of past American Cinematheque Award recipients that includes Jessica Chastain, Helen Mirren, Amy Adams, Ridley Scott, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds and Spike Lee.
Ben Affleck, Mahershala Ali, Coogler, Bradley Cooper and Phylicia Rashad are among those expected to serve as presenters during the Beverly Hilton event. Other presenters will include Daniel Kaluuya, Delroy Lindo, Octavia Spencer, Tessa Thompson and Irwin Winkler.
The ceremony will feature a musical performance by Miles Caton, Ludwig Goransson and Raphael Saadiq, performing “I Lied to You” from the film “Sinners.”
Donna Langley will present the Motion Picture Association’s Charles H. Rivkin with The Power of Cinema Award.
The Power of Cinema Award recognizes individuals or organizations whose storytelling advances the cultural and social relevance of film, organizers stated. Past recipients include Charles Roven, Jason Blum and Blumhouse, Sue Kroll and Jeffrey Katzenberg.