Ryan Coogler is one of the hottest writer/directors working in Hollywood right now. After helming the Rocky spin-off Creed, Coogler became a household name with his adaption of Black Panther. His most recent film Sinners recently received 16 Oscar nominations—including Best Director and Best Picture—the most in Academy Awards history.
Now it has been brought to our attention that Coogler, on top of being an incredibly talented auteur of the silver screen, is also an enormous coffee geek.
The revelation came via the YouTube channel for Proximity Media, the multi-media company founded by Coogler, his wife Zinzi, and Sev Ohanian. It features interviews with industry insiders, including one with the writers and directors of smash Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Coogler isn’t always a part of the in-studio interviews, but when he is, there’s a pretty good chance he’s making people coffee.
Take for example his most recent discussion with Maggie Gyllenhaal. While discussing her work as the writer, director, and producer of the upcoming Frankenstein-adjacent film The Bride, Coogler spends the first five or so minutes making a pour-over, a v60 for Gyllenhaal and co-host Paola Mardo. And his setup? Pretty good. Fellow Stagg EKG kettle, Acaia Pearl scale, a Baratza Encore grinder, and with coffee from Oakland’s Red Bay Coffee. It’s solid.
One way you can tell Coogler isn’t faking his coffee love? It’s in the wrist. He’s got a practiced motion when pouring the water over the coffee bed. (I’m partial to a two-hand pour, but you can’t knock the technique.) But for me, the real indication, is the “not bad” he gives after tasting the brew before serving it. Anyone who has ever had to make coffee for someone and felt the weight of trying to convince them of the greatness of specialty coffee with just a single cup will recognize that slight hesitation. (And the relief when they express enjoyment of it.)
And coffee doesn’t make an appearance in just once video. In an episode with frequent collaborator Michael B. Jordan, Coogler busts out the Linea Mini—and matching red Mazzer Mini grinder—to pull a few shots of Red Bay. Turns out, Coogler brings his entire coffee setup with him on set and along with running the show, will also make drinks for the cast and crew.
Throughout the videos Coogler discusses coffee making as both ritual and an act of service, which ticks a lot of boxes on the coffee person checklist.
Thus if you are looking for a new favorite director and using coffee as your guide—and you’re not super stoked about Tarantino being your only option after the passing of David Lynch—then Ryan Coogler might just be your guy.
Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.
