How Disney Channel’s The Luck of the Irish Inspired Sinners

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The DCOM is alive and well at the 2026 Academy Awards.

It’s not surprising to learn that the 2001 Disney Channel movie The Luck of the Irish heavily influenced Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which has received 16 Academy Award nominations. Coogler shared that the Disney film sparked his fascination with Irish culture and its similarities to Black culture – ideas he then developed into the story for Sinners. The Oscars ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will be held on March 15th.

Ryan, originally from Oakland, California, explained to Deadline in November that discovering the similarities between Irish folk music and their own was a key early experience. He mentioned a small Irish community existed in the Bay Area where they often discussed these connections.

The director explained that the movie served as a starting point for their project, which was surprisingly inspired by a long-held family fascination with that culture.

Ryan, 39, added that he and his friends “used to watch that movie like crazy.”

The movie The Luck of the Irish follows Kyle O’Reilly Johnson, a high school basketball player played by Ryan Merriman, who doesn’t know about his Irish roots or a family curse. He needs to find a lucky gold item before the mischievous leprechaun, Seamus McTiernen (played by Timothy Omundson), turns him and his family into leprechauns!

In the film, Irish influences show up through Jack O’Connell’s character, Remmick, a vampire who disrupts the bar owned by twin brothers Stack and Smoke, both portrayed by Michael B. Jordan. However, Remmick’s backstory wasn’t solely inspired by The Luck of the Irish.

As someone who loves exploring the roots of iconic stories, I was really excited by the creative choice to lean into Bram Stoker’s legacy. Being Irish himself, Stoker truly gave us the foundation for how we understand vampires in pop culture today, and it felt like a natural fit to delve into the character with that in mind. It just felt right to honor that original inspiration.

The actor clarified, ‘He’s not a villain,’ explaining they envisioned the character as an Irishman from before colonial times, with a complex history they revealed gradually throughout the story, layer by layer.

Watch the 2026 Academy Awards on ABC March 15th to see who wins awards for the movie Sinners. Plus, read on to find out how the nominees responded to their Oscar nominations.

The actor expressed their gratitude upon hearing the news this morning. They thanked the Academy for acknowledging their film, The Secret Agent, and also congratulated Gabriel Domingues and the entire, incredibly gifted and varied cast.

He congratulated his friends, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Emilie Lesclaux, saying he shares their nomination with Brazil, and recognizes the strong support and pride Brazilians have for their culture.

I’m deeply honored to be nominated and thrilled to be back in Norway with my cast and crew, especially as we celebrate nine record-breaking nominations – it feels unreal! This film was a true collaboration with an incredibly talented team, led by director Joachim Trier. It’s a wonderful day for all of us, including my fellow actors Stellan, Inga, and Elle, our co-writer Eskil, and Olivier, our editor who elevates everything we do.

She concluded, “I’m so grateful our story is being met with such generosity by the Academy.”

She said she was deeply honored by the nomination, explaining that the film SINNERS was a labor of love, courage, and dedication. She found it incredibly moving that the entire film was being recognized. She praised the director’s bold vision, the stunning work of the crew, and the talented performances of her fellow actors, calling the experience unforgettable.

She expressed deep gratitude to Ryan, her fellow cast members, and everyone who contributed their skills to bringing this story to life. She also thanked the Academy for recognizing their efforts.

I’ve loved acting and actors for as long as I can remember. It’s wonderful to be performing alongside people I’ve admired for years. I want to thank my close friend Guillermo del Toro, my partners Oscar and Mia, and our entire creative team. I’m passionate about this character and about the power of movies. Thank you to the Academy and to everyone watching at home.

“I can’t believe this!” said the actor from One Battle After Another. “This is the best way for an actor to start the day. I’m so grateful to the Academy for this honor. It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized alongside such talented colleagues, including my costar Sean, who all deserve this.”

He shared that playing Sensei was a wonderful opportunity. Working with Paul and Leo to create his character and story, especially one that felt so relevant and was told on such a grand scale, was a truly enjoyable experience for him, both as an actor and as a movie fan. He finished by quoting Sensei: “Ocean waves for everyone!”

Emma expressed her gratitude to the Academy for the nominations received by Bugonia. In a statement, she credited director Yorgos Lanthimos as essential to the film’s creation, highlighting their strong creative partnership and friendship. She also shared the recognition with Jesse Plemons, as well as the entire talented cast, crew, and production team. Emma said it was a great honor to be nominated alongside such impressive individuals and expressed her sincere thanks.

Stellan expressed his gratitude and joy at receiving his first Oscar nomination, and acknowledged the incredible recognition the film has received. He noted it’s particularly meaningful as it’s the most nominations any Norwegian film has ever received. He shared that the film was made with a lot of care despite its small budget, and the team is thrilled it has resonated with a wider audience. He ended with a cheerful note, looking forward to celebrating with everyone soon, calling the experience a continuing journey.

Leo described making the film as a deeply meaningful and collaborative experience. He credited the generosity, bravery, and skill of the cast – including Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti, Benny del Toro, Sean Penn, and Regina Hall – as well as the dedication of the entire film crew for making it possible.

I truly believe none of this recognition would have happened without Paul Thomas Anderson’s incredible vision. He’s a dedicated filmmaker who really believed in this story, and he brought it to life in a way that feels so important and relevant to what’s happening in the world today. I’m incredibly honored the Academy feels the same.

Leo finished his speech by congratulating the other nominees on a great season and thanking the Academy once more.

I was absolutely thrilled to hear Kate’s nomination announcement! Her statement really captured how she feels – she’s overflowing with gratitude and joy, and so happy to be celebrating alongside such a talented group of women. She shared that being a part of Song Sung Blue has truly been one of the biggest honors of her career, and honestly, you can just feel her excitement!

“I’m just stunned,” said the star of Sentimental Value. “I’m thrilled and so proud of Elle, Stellan, and Renate for being recognized for their incredible work in the film, and I also want to thank our fantastic editor, Olivier.”

The director expressed immense gratitude, stating that the film wouldn’t have been possible without Joachim’s creative vision and leadership, as well as the wonderful story and characters he developed with Eskil. She described the day as a landmark moment for Norwegian film and shared how much the nomination meant to her. She also thanked her family for their unwavering love and support, especially her husband and son, whom she loves deeply.

I was completely shocked when I heard the news and just started screaming,” she told Deadline right after the nominations were revealed. “I honestly can’t believe it – it’s such an incredible honor, and I’m speechless.

Byrne expressed her shock and gratitude at being nominated alongside such talented actresses – Jessie Buckley, Renate Reinsve, Kate Hudson, and Emma Stone. She called the film a unique and unforgettable experience, and playing Linda a true gift. She was deeply honored by the Academy’s recognition of the film – which she described as ‘punk rock’ – and sharing the spotlight with such incredible performances. She dedicated the honor to Mary Bronstein, saying it exceeded her expectations.

 

The actor said playing the role of Larry Hart was the biggest challenge of his four decades in the business. He also expressed how honored he was to work with his close friend and esteemed director, Richard Linklater, on the film, Blue Moon.

Reflecting on the journey, I remember being deeply impressed when I first read Robert Kaplow’s fantastic script – the one that’s now been nominated for an Oscar. It beautifully portrays both the challenges and rewards of being an artist. I’m grateful to The Academy for acknowledging our film, and for recognizing the incredible work of our entire cast, crew, and the team of artists who brought BLUE MOON to life in Ireland.

The star of Sentimental Value expressed her disbelief on Instagram after the nominations were announced. “Is this real? Is this a dream?” she wrote, adding that she was completely shocked and honored. She explained that her first Academy Award nomination was for a film celebrating the impact of movies and the importance of family, and that her mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt were with her to share the exciting moment with screams, hugs, and tears.

Elle was thrilled with the film’s nominations, exclaiming, ‘I’m so full of love! Everyone involved got nominated!’

“To be an Academy Award nominee is beyond anything I ever allowed myself to fully believe was possible,” the One Battle After Another star shared in a statement. “I am so deeply emotional, so humbled, and so grateful for every person who has walked this road with me & honored to be nominated alongside these amazing women in my category.”

 
She continued, “My career has been filled with battles, doubts, and moments of deep uncertainty. It has felt like one long fight for space, for respect, and for opportunity. But today feels like a gentle reminder that dreams really do survive… even when the journey is hard. Today feels like a soft, beautiful ‘yes’ from the universe.”
 
“And as I always say… the wait was not punishment,” Teyana added, “it was preparation for what was already written.”

“It’s an absolute honour to be recognised by the Academy,” the Hamnet star shared. “I am so proud to be standing beside all these extraordinary artists and fellow nominees whose work has inspired me and moved me!”
 
“Chloé Zhao you cracked my heart wide open when you asked me to step into Maggie O’Farrell’s world and create our Agnes beside you,” she added. “Paul [Mescal], there is no Agnes without you. I’m so grateful to have been part of this story with the incredible village of artists I shared it with.”
 
She concluded, “To make anything at all is an absolute triumph, and this recognition belongs to every artist who bravely pours themselves into the work and journeys towards the undiscovered landscapes of their souls. I’m delighted, deeply grateful and humbled to be part of this community. Thank you.”

I’m incredibly grateful to the Academy for this honor,” said the celebrated actress. “It’s amazing to think it’s been forty years since my first Academy Award nomination for TWICE IN A LIFETIME, and I never imagined I’d be experiencing this again. Playing Aunt Gladys and seeing how much people loved the character has been a real joy. I’m truly humbled by this nomination and proud to be recognized alongside such talented actresses.

Maggie reacted to the Best Picture nomination – and other accolades – for the film based on her book by calling it “astonishing and joyous.”

She expressed her gratitude to the Academy for the nominations, acknowledging the hard work and talent of everyone involved in Hamnet. She admitted that while writing the novel, she never imagined this level of recognition, and feels like she’s dreaming.

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2026-03-15 15:18