Michael B. Jordan is bringing “effortless cool” back to the big screen, and he’s bringing a lot of steam along with it.
The Sinners star took the stage at Amazon MGM Studios’ CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas on Wednesday to debut the very first trailer for his reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair. While the action was top-tier, it was the undeniable spark between Jordan and his new leading lady, Adria Arjona, that had the crowd—and social media—buzzing.
To set the mood for the “sexy” international heist film, Grammy winner Jon Batiste kicked things off with a soulful piano rendition of “The Windmills of Your Mind.” The song, which won an Oscar for the original film, was the perfect backdrop for what came next.
The trailer opened with Jordan’s character, a sophisticated billionaire with a side hustle as a notorious art thief, engaging in some seriously high-stakes flirting with Arjona’s Ms. Bennett.
“Tell me something: Does this billionaire thing really work?” Arjona asks him in the clip, before giving him a blunt assessment of his psyche. “I think you’re fractured, definitely have commitment issues. No serious relationships,” she teases.
The banter only escalated from there, with Jordan firing back, “Are you hustling me, Ms. Bennett?”
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to react to the pairing, with many noting that Arjona—who joined the project after Taylor Russell exited due to creative differences—seems to be the perfect match for Jordan’s suave energy.
For Jordan, who is also directing the feature, this project is a total full-circle moment.
“I’ve been daydreaming of making this movie for years,” he told the audience. “I saw the ’ Thomas Crown Affair when I was around years old. It was a guy that was smart, sophisticated and always three steps ahead.”
He also paid homage to the legendary Steve McQueen, who originated the role in . “McQueen brought this effortless cool, this rebellious edge,” Jordan added. “He didn’t just steal. He made a statement.”
Jordan was joined on stage by Arjona, whom he praised as an “incredible scene partner.” The duo is backed by an A-list ensemble including Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, Pilou Asbæk, and Aiysha Hart.
In the footage, Jordan’s Crown even faces off against Branagh, telling him: “You think it’s yours because you bought it, but it’s not.”
Earlier this year, Jordan teased The Hollywood Reporter that this version would be “international” and full of “twists and turns” that audiences won’t see coming. Based on the fan reaction to the CinemaCon footage, those “treats” are exactly what moviegoers are craving.
The film follows in the footsteps of the original starring McQueen and Faye Dunaway, as well as the hit featuring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. This time around, with a script by The Fall Guy writer Drew Pearce, the stakes—and the romance—feel higher than ever.
Mark your calendars: The Thomas Crown Affair hits theaters on March , . If this first look is any indication, we’re all about to be hustled.
