Michael B. Jordan and Jesse Plemons on Acting, Growth, and Why Preparation Only Gets You So Far

“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

For actors Michael B. Jordan and Jesse Plemons, that Friday Night Lights mantra didn’t just define a TV show — it shaped how they approach acting, collaboration, and longevity in an unpredictable industry.

More than a decade after the series ended, both actors have built powerful, respected careers. Jordan went on to collaborate repeatedly with director Ryan Coogler on Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and most recently Sinners. Plemons became one of the most sought-after character actors of his generation, working across TV and film with auteurs like Jane Campion, Martin Scorsese, and Yorgos Lanthimos.

When the two reunite, their conversation reveals something every aspiring actor should hear: acting isn’t about control — it’s about trust, play, and belief.

Acting Is a Game — If You Let It Be

Both Jordan and Plemons credit Friday Night Lights with changing how they see acting. The show’s loose, improvisational style forced them to stay present and adaptable at all times.

Plemons describes the experience as almost chaotic — especially for network television — but says that chaos created freedom.

He explains that the show taught him something vital: great performances don’t come from rigid planning. They come from exploration.

Trying to surprise your scene partner. Letting moments unfold naturally. Treating scenes like a game instead of a test.

For aspiring actors, this is a major mindset shift. Acting isn’t about “getting it right.” It’s about staying open long enough for something real to happen.

Preparation Matters — But Belief Matters More

As their careers evolved, both actors developed highly personal preparation techniques.

For Jordan, playing identical twins in Sinners meant understanding each character from the inside out — not just how they looked, but how they carried pain, trauma, and history differently. Small choices mattered: shoes that were too tight, clothing that changed posture, even gold caps that altered how he spoke.

But the most important work happened internally.

Jordan explains that once he understood the emotional truth of each brother, everything else followed.

Plemons echoes this idea when discussing his role as Teddy, a conspiracy theorist in Bugonia. Teddy believes — completely — that he’s saving the world. If Plemons didn’t believe that, the performance wouldn’t work.

That’s when he shares a feeling every actor recognizes: the moment after you book the job, when excitement turns into fear.

The Quote That Defines Becoming an Actor

One of the most important lessons for aspiring actors comes from Plemons when he describes that shift from booking to performing:

“There’s a period of time when you get a job — the best feeling in the world. Then when it’s time to start, it’s always this sinking feeling like, ‘Now I have to do this.’” — Jesse Plemons

That quote perfectly captures the reality of acting.

Fear doesn’t mean you’re unprepared. It means the work matters.

Every actor — even the most experienced — faces that moment. The key isn’t eliminating the fear. It’s learning to move forward anyway.

Music, Movement, and Getting Out of Your Head

Both actors also talk about using music to prepare — not to intellectualize the role, but to escape overthinking.

Jordan used music to transition between characters, helping him shed one identity and step fully into another. Plemons creates long playlists for every project, letting them run without control, trusting that the right emotional tone will surface.

The goal, as Plemons puts it, is simple: get out of your head.

Preparation is important — but at some point, thinking has to stop and doing has to begin.

What Aspiring Actors Should Take Away

This conversation offers a clear message for anyone trying to become an actor:

• Acting is built on trust, not certainty
• Fear is part of the process — not a sign of failure
• Preparation sets the stage, but belief carries the performance
• The best work comes when you stop protecting yourself

Michael B. Jordan and Jesse Plemons didn’t follow identical paths — but they share the same foundation: curiosity, courage, and a willingness to jump in before feeling ready.

That’s not just how careers are built.

That’s how actors are made.