8 Mile star Omar Miller got candid about how actors in Hollywood are no longer getting ‘perks’ as the movie industry continues to change.
The actor, 46 – who has worked with acclaimed directors such as Spike Lee and Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler – reflected on his career which began in the 90s during a chat with The Daily Mail Bag this week.
When questioned about the ‘biggest differences’ on set from over the years, Miller expressed that now ‘everything is consolidated.’
He further explained, ‘Movies were a big huge deal when I got involved. They were expensive. And there was perks.’
Some of Omar’s earlier work includes Sorority Boys (2002), 8 Mile (2002), Shall We Dance? (2004) and also Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ (2005).
‘They’re really cutting the margins now because the business has changed, and you notice it at work. Everything is skinner…’
8 Mile star Omar Miller, 46, got candid about how actors in Hollywood are no longer getting ‘perks’ as the movie industry continues to change
The actor reflected on his career which began in the 90s during a chat with The Daily Mail Bag this week; seen above in 8 Mile (2002)
However, Miller also pointed out the ‘upside’ to the changes in the entertainment industry and added, ‘Things move faster because we’re shooting most of the time on digital and not film.’
The star expressed that his most recent project called Sinners was ‘shot on film’ and gushed it was ‘a throwback that I was very excited about.
‘Each take is more precious when you’re shooting on film. And I like that because it raises the stakes and everything you do matters just a little bit more.’
Digital is known to be more affordable when compared to shooting on film – and can also be a benefit when it comes to post-production such as editing.
Omar’s latest movie Sinners – which was written and directed by Ryan Coogler – was shot on IMAX, and the actor said that the ‘camera was dumb loud.’
The film also stars Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton and Jack O’Connell.
The premise is: ‘Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back,’ per IMDB.
Miller took on the role of a character who goes by the name of Cornbread – and the period supernatural horror is set to release later this week on Friday, April 18.
When questioned about the ‘biggest differences’ on set from over the years, Miller expressed that now ‘everything is consolidated’
Miller added, ‘They’re really cutting the margins now because the business has changed, and you notice it at work. Everything is skinner…’
The star expressed that his most recent project called Sinners was ‘shot on film’ and gushed it was ‘a throwback that I was very excited about’; seen far right in Sinners (2025)
Coogler is no stranger to helming blockbuster movies, and is known for directing projects such as Black Panther (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Creed (2015) and also Creed III (2023).
Read More
Hailee Steinfeld wows in a semi-sheer flame gown as she joins Michael B. Jordan at Sinners premiere
Omar talked about having the opportunity to collaborate with Coogler and said that he is ‘one of the more powerful directors working in the world today.
‘But Ryan is working wth you. He didn’t speak in absolutes or say something that completely reframed things.
In regards to Sinners, Miller added, ‘What Ryan did was he laid out a lot of the historical context of the film; the 1930s in Mississippi in a rural area with sharecroppers and domesticated folks and musicians and church people.
‘There’s a lot of elements to this that he put a lot of thought into and I can’t say enough about the young man. I can’t wait to see what he does next. Hopefully he writes for me again.’
Omar has worked with Oscar-winning director Spike Lee – such as on the 2008 epic war drama Miracle At St. Anna.
When asked what advice Lee had given him, the actor expressed that Spike once told him: ‘It’s about the canon of work.’
Coogler is no stranger to helming blockbuster movies, and is known for directing projects such as Black Panther (2018), Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Creed (2015) and also Creed III (2023); seen above earlier this month in London
Omar talked about having the opportunity to collaborate with Coogler and said that he is ‘one of the more powerful directors working in the world today’
Miller continued, ‘Some films have a hard time finding their audience in the immediate sense but it’s about the canon of your body of work.
‘And how important that is to keep an eye on – that it’s a marathon. It’s a long-term play,’ he added before giving a shout out to Lee.
Omar then reflected on his own career and said, ‘My canon of work would be described by diverse – from cartoons, to horror films, comedies and dramas, and everywhere in between.
‘It’s been great because I get to mix it up. Everything is different. I’ve gotten a tour of the world on the studio’s dime,’ he joked. ‘It’s been a fun ride.’
‘The experience that I had making 8 Mile was unmatched,’ Omar expressed. ‘It was like no other’
One of the projects that Miller is known for is his appearance as Sol George in the 2002 film 8 Mile alongside Eminem, the late Brittany Murphy, Anthony Mackie, Kim Basinger, Taryn Manning and Evan Jones.
‘The experience that I had making 8 Mile was unmatched,’ Omar expressed. ‘It was like no other.
‘And if you look at that film and you see how many of us got our career started in 8 Mile… I would love to relive that because there’s a lot of my friends from that film that passed away. But I wouldn’t change anything about the role itself.’
Miller’s other projects include shows such as CSI: Miami and Ballers (2015-2019) and films including Naples To New York.