You Won’t Believe Why Michael B. Jordan Took a 2nd Shot at Marvel After His 1st Epic Fail

Michael B. Jordan delivered an outstanding performance as Killmonger in the 2018 film “Black Panther,” a fact that still leaves me in awe. It’s hard to believe he agreed to take on this role following his Marvel project from 2015, which didn’t fare as well critically. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler have formed an impressive collaborative relationship. Jordan starred in Coogler’s first directorial effort, “Fruitvale Station,” and again in “Creed,” Coogler’s second film. Most recently, he played dual roles in Coogler’s latest project, the critically acclaimed vampire film “Sinners.” Given his working relationship with Coogler, it was fitting for Jordan to join the cast of “Black Panther,” where Chadwick Boseman played the title character.

Michael B. Jordan portrayed the antagonist Killmonger, who contested T’Challa for the throne and emerged victorious initially, only to meet his demise in a subsequent encounter. He resumed this role in a brief appearance in “Wakanda Forever“. It’s worth noting that Killmonger wasn’t Jordan’s debut in the Marvel universe as he also played Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 2015’s Fantastic Four. Unfortunately, this movie bombed at the box office and received harsh criticism from both critics and viewers. Reflecting on his earlier statements in 2018, I’m pleased that Jordan was eager to return to 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 reboot of the Fantastic Four, which Jordan was part of, turned out to be a catastrophic flop. Despite earning just $167.9 million globally on a $120 million budget and receiving a scathing 9% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, it wasn’t entirely Jordan’s fault for the film’s downfall. However, being associated with this debacle undoubtedly didn’t help his reputation. Nevertheless, this setback did not derail his career, as he took on another superhero role three years later. In an interview with Ebaster, Jordan expressed no second thoughts about appearing in another comic book movie and saw the opportunity to work on Black Panther as a chance to “get it right.

It seems I joined the project later since that’s how things usually unfold – we kept in touch with Ryan regularly, and I had always been involved informally. Jumping into another comic book film wasn’t a question for me; I’m a fan, and it’s a thrill to be part of this universe. I viewed the opportunity as another chance to get things right, another shot at success, and especially working with Rachel Morrison again and Ryan. It’s a familiar environment for me, one that feels comfortable. It’s an ideal setting for me to take another creative risk, so there was no hesitation on my part.

It was a wise decision by Jordan to take on another superhero film, as evidenced by his comments. Given his experience with the Fantastic Four, one might expect him to avoid such projects. However, he viewed Black Panther as a chance for atonement, but this perspective isn’t shared by all. His former co-stars, Kate Mara, Miles Teller, and Jamie Bell, have not participated in any other superhero movies since 2015, suggesting that superhero films might not be suitable 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

In the movie Fantastic Four, Jordan’s acting wasn’t standout, but it may not have been entirely his fault – the direction and script were also weak points. However, he more than made amends in Black Panther. Jordan delivered an exceptional performance as Killmonger, coming very close to overshadowing Boseman and other cast members. Killmonger was a multifaceted villain with compelling reasons for his actions, but his methods were brutal. Although he ultimately lost, T’Challa acknowledged the validity of Killmonger’s arguments about Wakanda’s seclusion and convinced him to bring Wakanda into global interaction.

A significant aspect of Killmonger’s appeal lies in his intriguing past. Born with Wakandan heritage but raised in Oakland following his uncle’s abandonment, he gained insights into the lives of less fortunate African Americans. This upbringing partially fueled his desire to free his people, yet it was also driven by a bitter resentment toward Wakanda. Michael B. Jordan’s acting skillfully conveys the fury and anguish that has built within him, demonstrating his suitability for a superhero role when properly utilized.

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

Actors might find it challenging to secure leading roles again if their previous ones didn’t succeed. Yet, the casting of Jordan in Black Panther demonstrates that actors should not lose hope if a superhero project falls due to factors beyond their influence. Jordan isn’t alone in this resurgence; Chris Evans, who previously played the Human Torch in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007, has also experienced success post-Marvel role.

Although these movies weren’t flops like the 2015 remake nor were they praised by critics or made enormous profits at the box office, they didn’t harm Chris Evans’ career significantly. He resumed his role as Captain America in 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger” and continued playing the character for eight years until he bid farewell to the role in “Avengers: Endgame.” Evans and Michael B. Jordan serve as examples that actors can still thrive in Marvel productions, despite earlier roles not meeting expectations.

2025-04-26 17:29