Whatever You Do, Don’t Miss ‘Sinners’ Post-Credits Scenes

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This article may reveal SPOILERS for the movie Sinners. If you’re curious about whether there is a post-credits scene in Sinners, I can confirm that it does indeed have two. One appears after the initial set of credits and another at the very end of the film. Enjoy!

It appears that Ryan Coogler has moved on from making Marvel movies for now, with his upcoming project, “Sinners,” being quite different from what the studio typically produces. This movie is a vampire story intertwined with social commentary and an abundance of music, almost classifying it as a musical. Additionally, “Sinners” contains more explicit sexual content than all Marvel films and TV shows combined.

Essentially, “Sinners” is a film produced by a high-budget director who finally has the artistic freedom that IP (intellectual property) movie-making typically lacks. However, Ryan Coogler seems to have carried over some valuable insights from his time at Marvel Studios, among them being the crucial point that audiences should always be left with a thought-provoking post-credits scene when they exit the theater.

In Marvel movies, it’s common to see a scene that hints (or even the whole trailer) about the upcoming movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the film “Sinners“, Cooglar utilized a comparable approach for a slightly distinct goal – offering an epilogue to his narrative and wrapping up the underlying themes that have been subtly present throughout the film with its violent undertones.

Prior to the unveiling of the closing scenes, the movie “Sinners” can primarily be classified as a horror film. It revolves around a band of individuals who find themselves ensnared within a juke joint in rural Mississippi during the 1930s. The vampire character Remmick (portrayed by Jack O’Connell) seeks out this particular bar due to the presence of a talented blues musician named Sammie (Miles Caton), who is the cousin of the twin brothers who own the establishment, Smoke and Stack, both played by Michael B. Jordan.

Through a long and fateful night, Remmick and his group brutally murder and transform many employees and patrons of the juke joint, including Stack and Mary (Hailee Steinfeld). Eventually, Smoke manages to impale Remmick with a stake, but daybreak arrives and completes the demise of both Remmick and his followers. Later, Smoke perishes in battle against the KKK members who had sold them the building they used to establish their bar. In the end, only Sammie remains alive; he departs Mississippi to chase after his music career. The story concludes as the credits roll.

In the closing act, I find myself decades later, peering into the weathered visage of Sammie, now an elderly blues musician portrayed by none other than the legendary Buddy Guy. The scene unfolds in a dimly lit blues club, reminiscent of 1992. Suddenly, a youthful Stack and Mary, both still embodying their vampiric essence, make an unexpected entrance. In the climactic battle’s aftermath, director Ryan Coogler subtly hinted at a fleeting moment where our duo planned their escape, a detail that may have been overlooked amidst the tumultuous chaos. Crucially, Coogler never reveals Stack and Mary perishing alongside Remmick and his followers in the fiery inferno.

According to Stack, Smoke helped him survive – after he vowed never to menace Sammie again. Later, he proposes transforming Sammie into a vampire – as a means to grant this elderly musician eternal life for creating music whenever he desires – but Sammie declines the offer. The vampires respect his decision and leave Sammie unscathed. However, before they depart, Stack and Sammie reach an understanding on something: The memorable night when they inaugurated the juke joint; the night when Sammie played for the first time, and Stack momentarily experienced his dream of owning a bar before becoming a vampire, was the greatest day in the lives of both.

If you choose to depart promptly once the credits start rolling (I’ve seen a few colleagues do just that during the press screening of “Sinners”), you’ve experienced an exceptionally impactful and multi-layered survival horror film. However, if you decide to stick around for the post-credits scene, you’ll discover that “Sinners” offers much more than just a terrifying horror experience.

During the mid-credits sequence, it is revealed that Sammie didn’t waste his talents following this crucial night. Instead, he reached his aspirations, implying that all the efforts made to ensure Sammie’s survival – be they physical sacrifices at the juke joint or symbolic ones involving helping a disadvantaged African American youth aiming to break free and accomplish great things – were not in vain.

What remains, in essence, is a reimagined (and bloodsucking) perspective on the timeless tale of Robert Johnson, a blues artist, who is said to have struck a pact with the devil at a Mississippi crossroads: His soul for extraordinary musical talent. (Although it’s known that the story is untrue — Johnson learned guitar from another local musician — it has persisted.)

In the opening of Coogler’s movie, there’s a narrative that ties transcendent music to the supernatural through folklore. The rest of the film subtly echoes Johnson legends as well. For example, one story claims Johnson was poisoned by a jealous husband due to his flirtatious behavior at a dance. In our movie, Sammie and Stack engage in more than just flirting with married women at a dance, leading to unfortunate outcomes for many characters.

In Ryan Coogler’s unique interpretation of an American folktale, Sammie’s gift isn’t something sinister like the devil’s, but a divine blessing instead. Instead of the supernatural creature granting the talent, it covets it. This is reminiscent of how the Borg from Star Trek were fascinated with Delta blues. In Coogler’s storyline, becoming a great artist isn’t about using a sneaky shortcut; it’s about perseverance and survival, resisting the temptation to compromise one’s individuality for the collective. Without that closing scene during the credits, much of this message is left unspoken.

In the film “Sinners“, there’s a rich tapestry of elements at play. It delves into the Jim Crow era, explores dreams and the essence of sin, and offers profound insights. What makes it stand out is its exceptional music, with Caton being one of the primary performers. This is particularly notable in the second of “Sinners“‘s two post-credits scenes where he sings a solo version of “This Little Light of Mine,” beautifully encapsulating many of the themes previously mentioned.

However, “Sinners” offers an engaging experience packed with thrills, chills, and a few hearty chuckles. Nowadays, it’s common for Hollywood productions to include at least one scene after the credits due to Marvel setting this trend, and many other studios have adopted similar practices.

This might be the reason I prefer this element of ‘Sinners’ the most – how Coogler employs a contemporary blockbuster structure not for hinting at a future sequel, but to jump ahead in time to conclude both the protagonist’s journey and his overarching message. Leaving you from the theater with the excitement of this unforeseen move. Instead of anticipating a movie that will release in two years, your exit into the lobby is filled with the warmth of what transpires when a gifted director is granted the liberty to narrate – simply one story – they wish to tell.

25 Actors Who Turned Down Huge Movie Roles

Halle Berry – Speed’s Annie

In 2019, Halle Berry candidly admitted that she regrettably declined the role of the heroic bus passenger (later bus driver) Annie in the movie Speed: “I foolishly said no.” This opportunity ultimately went to Sandra Bullock, a then-relatively unknown actress who had only a few roles to her name. Following this decision, Speed turned out to be a massive success, catapulting Bullock into stardom almost overnight. In Berry’s defense, she stated that in the script of Speed she read, “the bus didn’t even leave the parking lot,” which certainly sounds like a less thrilling film.

Emily Blunt – Black Widow

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel that Emily Blunt would be an outstanding addition to the Marvel Universe, given her knack for light-hearted humor, action prowess, and captivating charm. It’s almost hard to believe she hasn’t starred in a Marvel film yet, but the truth is, opportunities have presented themselves. One such opportunity came with Iron Man 2, when she was offered the coveted role of Black Widow. Regrettably, I had to decline due to contractual obligations that required me to work on Gulliver’s Travels at the same time. As you can imagine, it was a bit of a letdown for me when Scarlett Johansson stepped into those shoes and went on to grace eight Marvel movies as Natasha Romanoff, the Avenger.

Jessica Chastain – Maya Hansen

Following the releases of “The Tree of Life” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” Jessica Chastain became highly sought after in Hollywood, with Marvel Studios among them. They proposed that she take on the role of Maya Hansen, the key scientist in the mystery of “Iron Man 3.” Chastain found this intriguing but ultimately declined, citing her packed schedule as the reason. She expressed on Facebook that there wasn’t enough room for anything else due to her existing commitments and blamed the media for announcing her casting prematurely. However, she hinted at a potential future in Marvel films. That opportunity came true; though it turned out to be “Dark Phoenix,” produced by Fox, where she portrayed Vuk. (The part of Maya Hansen was played by Rebecca Hall, who delivered an impressive performance.)

Russell Crowe – Wolverine

Before Hugh Jackman assumed the role of Logan in Fox’s X-Men series, Russell Crowe was initially considered for the part. As one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stars at that time, Crowe declined the offer because he had recently finished filming Gladiator, where his character sported a wolf emblem and had a wolf as a companion. He thought this aspect would be more significant then, hence he didn’t want to appear “wolfish,” as if he were “Mr. Wolf.” Instead, Crowe suggested Jackman for the role. Although Jackman wasn’t initially cast (the studio initially chose Dougray Scott, who later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible 2), he eventually landed the part that catapulted him to stardom. Later, Crowe made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder. To this day, Hugh Jackman remains Wolverine.

Matt Damon – Avatar’s Jake Sully

In the annals of acting history, it’s likely no one has turned down a role as costly as Matt Damon did when he declined James Cameron’s offer for the lead in “Avatar”. When Cameron was finalizing his cast for the movie, he hoped Damon would play Jake Sully. To entice him further, Cameron offered Damon, who starred in “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, 10% of the film’s profits. However, Damon was engrossed with the Jason Bourne series at that time and had to decline the offer. Looking back, he estimates his decision cost him around $250 million. That’s a significant amount of money – enough to buy an immense quantity of the fictional mineral ‘unobtanium’.

Benicio Del Toro – Darth Maul

As a true cinema enthusiast, I’d like to share an interesting tidbit about Benicio Del Toro and his role in “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.” Contrary to popular belief, he wasn’t just presented with the part of Darth Maul; he chose to take it. However, as the character’s development progressed during pre-production, and George Lucas opted to reduce Del Toro’s dialogue significantly in favor of a more menacing, action-oriented portrayal, Benicio decided to step away from the project. In the end, Ray Park was the one who breathed life into the character, earning much praise for his performance.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Boogie Nights’ Dirk Diggler

In 2008, GQ questioned Leonardo DiCaprio about the roles he declined, and he mentioned that one of them was playing Dirk Diggler in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “Boogie Nights.” This role, which catapulted Mark Wahlberg to stardom as a leading man in Hollywood, was an opportunity DiCaprio had to pass up. Instead, he opted to star in the small art-house film “Titanic” about a romantic journey at sea. Despite not expressing regret for his decision, DiCaprio acknowledged that both projects were excellent and expressed a wish that he could have been involved with both of them.

Harrison Ford – Jurassic Park’s Alan Grant

If you’ve ever watched Jurassic Park and found Alan Grant, portrayed by Sam Neill, with his rugged work attire and hats, reminiscent of Indiana Jones, then you were spot on. Initially, Steven Spielberg considered Harrison Ford, the original Indiana Jones, for the role of the courageous paleontologist. However, Ford rejected the script. Eventually, Neill joined the project only weeks before filming began, landing himself one of the most iconic roles in his career.

Jon Hamm – Green Lantern

In the realm of acting, no performer has ever resembled the Green Lantern comic book character Hal Jordan quite like Jon Hamm from Mad Men. Given this likeness, it’s not shocking that Warner Bros. pursued Hamm for the part. However, Hamm declined their offer. As he later shared in an interview, “They made a strong push for me, but I simply wasn’t enthusiastic about it.” Hamm confessed he isn’t particularly fond of superhero films, stating that they aren’t the type of movies he enjoys watching. Interestingly, Hamm seems to have a different perspective when it comes to superheroes on television, as he has lent his voice to numerous comic-book series, including Invincible and M.O.D.O.K., where he played Tony Stark in several episodes.

Josh Hartnett – Superman AND Batman

In the early 2000s, Hollywood’s rising star Josh Hartnett was strongly considered for the Superman role in “Superman Returns,” but surprisingly declined a three-film contract worth an estimated $100 million to play the iconic character. Remarkably, Hartnett also turned down the opportunity to portray both members of the World’s Finest team, as he was a contender for the part of young Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins.” Years after, Hartnett admitted that turning down Nolan was a regrettable decision. As he shared with Playboy, “I’ve certainly said no to some of the wrong people.” He declined because he was weary and preferred spending more time with friends and family, which is generally seen as unwise in this industry.

Jim Henson – Yoda

When George Lucas decided to make wizened Jedi master Yoda a puppet, he initially wanted Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and Kermit the Frog’s puppeteer, to animate the character. However, Henson was occupied with his own endeavors, and recommended that Lucas collaborate with Frank Oz, a long-time Muppets partner and performer of Fozzy, Miss Piggy, and Animal instead. Following Henson’s advice, Lucas teamed up with Oz, and the rest is now part of cinema history. (Or, to put it another way, after taking Henson’s suggestion, Lucas joined forces with Oz, and since then, that’s how things unfolded in filmmaking.)

Hugh Jackman – James Bond

In my journey, I stumbled upon the opportunity to take on the role of the young James Bond in the origin story ‘Casino Royale’. This path led me through countless potential candidates until it settled on Daniel Craig, who later became one of the greatest 007s ever. Interestingly, before Craig was cast, the producers extended the offer to Hugh Jackman, then deeply immersed in his role as Wolverine from the X-Men series. Jackman declined, possibly due to concerns that juggling another franchise might hinder him from pursuing smaller projects. However, should you be interested, Amazon is currently on the hunt for a new James Bond. Perhaps it’s worth reaching out to them and seeing if they still have an open spot for you.

Heath Ledger – Batman

It’s well-known that Heath Ledger eventually brought the Joker to life in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, earning great praise. However, before Nolan decided on Ledger as his Joker, he initially wanted him for Batman – offering him the role of young Bruce Wayne in Batman Begins. Later, Nolan recounted their meeting, stating that Ledger was “very polite” about it but informed him, “I wouldn’t accept a role in a superhero film.” Once Ledger saw Nolan’s unique approach in Batman Begins and its departure from the campier DC movies of the era, he agreed to be part of The Dark Knight.

Madonna – Catwoman

In the early 1990s, when Tim Burton was preparing to cast Batman Returns, Madonna’s film career was at its zenith. He proposed that Madonna take on the role of Catwoman, a match that seemed almost too ideal. However, Madonna declined the offer. Many years later, she confessed to Jimmy Fallon that turning down Catwoman was something she regretted, admitting it would have been a fierce performance. In the end, Michelle Pfeiffer landed the part and undeniably delivered a powerful portrayal.

Matthew McConaughey – Ego

In casting Star-Lord’s father for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”, Marvel sought a renowned actor who could convincingly be the father of Chris Pratt, known for his handsome and charming looks. Given their options, they considered Matthew McConaughey, who might appear too young to be Pratt’s father since they were only born ten years apart. However, when you’re dealing with immortal space gods, age is essentially irrelevant. When asked about why he declined the role, McConaughey didn’t cite the age difference as an issue. Instead, he mentioned having to choose between “Guardians” and “The Dark Tower”, ultimately opting for the latter. He felt that the filmmakers did not seem genuinely interested in him or have a strong vision for the character of Ego, but rather saw it as an opportunity to add another big-name actor to the successful franchise. (Apologies.)

Eddie Murphy – Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s Eddie Valiant

Today, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is recognized as a pioneering mix of live-action and animation. At first glance, though, the idea of making a film featuring animated characters that seamlessly interact with real actors for the entire 100-minute runtime might seem like a daring gamble – a notion that Eddie Murphy initially shared when he declined the offer to play the lead human character, Eddie Valiant. As he later confessed on “The Tonight Show,” his initial reaction was, “Animation and humans? That sounds like nonsense to me!” However, once the movie was released and became an enormous success, Murphy acknowledged his error in judgment. “Every time I watch it,” he admitted to Jimmy Fallon, “I feel like a fool.

Al Pacino – Han Solo

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, it’s challenging to conceive of anyone other than Harrison Ford embodying Han Solo. Trust me, Alden Ehrenreich can attest to that! However, Ford wasn’t the initial pick for the role. In fact, George Lucas once extended an offer to Al Pacino, a major star from ‘The Godfather’, to play the charismatic smuggler. Pacino declined because he felt he didn’t comprehend the script. Can you imagine how distinct Hollywood would be today if Pacino had accepted this role and Ford hadn’t? That’s quite a thought!

Joaquin Phoenix – Doctor Strange

Reflecting on the intriguing journey of finding Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, I was captivated by the names tossed around – Ethan Hawke, Oscar Isaac, and Keanu Reeves among them. Yet, it was Joaquin Phoenix who came incredibly close to claiming the role, reportedly engaging in discussions with director Scott Derrickson for Doctor Strange in June of 2014. However, by October, the deal crumbled, and Benedict Cumberbatch emerged as Marvel’s enchanting hero instead. As time unfolded, Phoenix shared his contentment, stating, “Everybody was really happy with how things turned out. All parties were satisfied.” Indeed, his subsequent portrayal of the Joker for Warner Bros and the Oscar he won for that performance validated their satisfaction (though perhaps not entirely during the Joker sequel).

Julia Roberts – Sleepless in Seattle’s Annie

The classic film “Sleepless in Seattle,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, is instantly recognizable, even for those who haven’t watched it. The story revolves around the pair falling in love from afar. However, the movie might have taken a different course if Julia Roberts, another highly acclaimed romantic comedy actress, had accepted the role of the female lead. Years later, Roberts expressed satisfaction with her decision and stated that she chose not to star in the film because it seemed too similar to her previous role in “Pretty Woman,” which she had played just a few years prior.

Kurt Russell – Luke Skywalker

In the mid-1970s, numerous aspiring actors tried out for the role in “Star Wars,” including Kurt Russell, a former child star who was among those considered for the part of Luke Skywalker, the intergalactic farmboy. The casting process took some time, and during this period, Russell had other job opportunities to consider. Eventually, he presented George Lucas with an ultimatum: Either offer him the role or he would move on to another project. Unable to give a definitive answer, Lucas lost Kurt Russell to a Western film. How many baskets of fruit do you think Mark Hamill, who eventually got the role of Luke Skywalker, has sent as a token of appreciation to Kurt Russell over the years?

Will Smith – Neo

Initially, the Wachowskis attempted to cast Will Smith as the hacker protagonist Neo in The Matrix, who later became synonymous with cyberpunk chic. However, Smith opted for Wild Wild West over their pitch, citing the Wachowskis’ limited filmography at the time as his reason for hesitation. Later on, Smith acknowledged that they had indeed proven to be geniuses, though he expressed that there was a thin line between genius and what he perceived during their first encounter.

John Travolta – Forrest Gump

When John Travolta agreed to star in “Pulp Fiction”, he declined another movie, “Forrest Gump”, directed by Robert Zemeckis. Both films were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, with “Gump” ultimately winning and Tom Hanks taking the lead role. However, Travolta’s portrayal of Vincent Vega in “Pulp Fiction” helped rejuvenate his career. Years later, when asked if he regretted his decision, he said he did not. So, if you could only be a part of either “Pulp Fiction” or “Forrest Gump”, which would you choose?

Paul Walker – Superman

Well, there you have it.” This is why Paul Walker did not appear in “Superman Returns.

Denzel Washington – Michael Clayton

Speaking in 2012, Denzel Washington expressed regret about passing on the role of “Michael Clayton,” saying it was one of the best materials he had read in a while, but he was apprehensive as it was a first-time director. However, the role eventually went to George Clooney who made it into one of his iconic roles as an actor. It didn’t take long for Washington to recognize his error. In his own words, “I was wrong. It happens.” (GQ magazine)

Bruce Willis – Ghost’s Sam

Initially, Bruce Willis doubted the success of the script for the movie “Ghost”, which tells the story of a man who dies and tries to communicate with his wife from beyond the grave. However, he was proven wrong as it turned out to be the highest-grossing film of 1990, and also the most rented VHS title in 1991. Upon reflecting on his decision to turn down the role of the central ghost, Willis labeled himself a “knucklehead”. When presented with the opportunity to star in “The Sixth Sense”, he made sure not to repeat that mistake.

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2025-04-18 00:56