Michael B. Jordan was amazing as Killmonger in 2018’s Black Panther, and I can’t believe how lucky we are that he agreed to do it after his 2015 Marvel flop. Jordan has formed an impressive partnership with director Ryan Coogler. Jordan starred in Coogler’s directorial debut, Fruitvale Station, and in his second film, Creed. Most recently, the actor played dual parts in Sinners, Coogler’s vampire film that’s currently receiving praise from critics and audiences. While Black Panther starred Chadwick Boseman in the тιтular role, it only made sense for Jordan to join given his relationship with Coogler.
Jordan played the villainous Killmonger, who challenged T’Challa for the throne, and initially won before ultimately being killed in a rematch. The actor reprised the role in Wakanda Forever in a brief cameo. Killmonger wasn’t Jordan’s first Marvel role as he played Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 2015’s Fantastic Four. Unfortunately, the film was a mᴀssive flop at the box office and got panned by critics and audiences. After revisiting previous comments he made in 2018, I’m glad that Jordan was so eager to rejoin the superhero genre.
Michael B Jordan’s Comments About His Black Panther Casting Underline How Doubly Lucky We Were To Get Him In The MCU
Jordan Wanted A Second Chance At Getting Superhero Film Right
2015’s Fantastic Four reboot was a complete disaster. It only made $167.9 million worldwide on a $120 million budget and received a 9% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Jordan wasn’t a reason for the film’s failure, but being attached to that disaster certainly didn’t do him any favors. Still, it didn’t kill his career clearly, and he starred in another superhero project three years later. Speaking with Screen Rant, Jordan said there was “zero hesitation to do another comic book movie” and saw Black Panther as an opportunity to “get it right.”
“I guess I got brought in later in the game because that was the natural process – we and Ryan still talked everyday, and I still, still kind of in an unofficial capacity, had always been part of it. No hesitation, really, to do another comic book film. I’m a geek, I love this world, I love being able to play in that fantastic kind of space. I looked at it as another sH๏τ to get it right, to do it again, and especially teaming up with [Director of PH๏τography] Rachel [Morrison] again and Ryan. It’s a very comfortable space with me. It’s the perfect space for me to take another risk like this, so it was no hesitation on my part.”
Jordan did get it right, and his comments show how lucky we are that he wanted to do another superhero film. It would have made sense if he wanted to steer clear of these films after his Fantastic Four experience, but he saw Black Panther as an opportunity for redemption. Not everyone feels this way. His co-stars Kate Mara, Miles Teller, and Jamie Bell haven’t appeared in other superhero movies since 2015, showing superhero films may not be for everyone.
Michael B Jordan Being A Highlight Of Black Panther & Its Sequel Proves The MCU Was Right To Bring The Actor Back After 2015’s Fantastic Four
Killmonger Is One Of The MCU’s Best Villains
Jordan wasn’t bad in Fantastic Four. While it wasn’t a particularly memorable performance, it can also be blamed on the direction and weak screenplay. Fortunately, he made up for it in Black Panther. Jordan was so good as Killmonger that he almost stole the show completely from Boseman and his other co-stars. Killmonger was a complex antagonist who had understandable motivations but heinous methods. While he lost, T’Challa realized that he was right about Wakanda’s isolationist stance and convinced him to open up Wakanda to the rest of the world.
Part of what made Killmonger so interesting was his unique background. He has Wakandan blood, but grew up in Oakland after being abandoned by his uncle. This allowed him to understand what life was like for African Americans who weren’t fortunate enough to grow up in Wakanda. However, his mission to liberate his people was partially influenced by the vengeful spite he felt toward Wakanda. Jordan’s performance portrays the rage and pain that’s grown within him, and it proved that Jordan is perfect for a superhero project when utilized correctly.
Michael B. Jordan’s MCU Casting Helps Ensure That Other Talented Actors Aren’t Disregarded Because Of Prior Marvel Roles
Many Actors Should Follow Jordan’s Footsteps
It can be difficult for actors to gain other starring roles if they had prior roles that flopped. However, Jordan’s Black Panther casting is evidence that actors shouldn’t feel discouraged if another superhero project flops due to circumstances outside their control. Jordan isn’t the only actor to gain redemption after one Marvel movie failed. Another actor who has also achieved success after a prior Marvel role is Chris Evans, who also played the Human Torch in 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
While those films weren’t complete disasters like the 2015 reboot, they also weren’t critical darlings or box-office juggernauts. Still, Evans’ career didn’t take a hit from these films, and he returned to Marvel in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. He played Cap for 8 years, retiring from the role in Avengers: Endgame. Evans and Jordan are proof that actors can still achieve success in Marvel films, even if a prior role failed.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday
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May 1, 2026
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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May 7, 2027
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