Michael B. Jordan’s Forgotten Superhero Movie Is Suddenly Blowing Up On Streaming

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13 years after his debut as a superhero, Michael B. Jordan’s movie is gaining popularity on streaming platforms. In the highly anticipated vampire flick Sinners, Jordan takes on a double role and is back in the spotlight, collaborating with director Ryan Coogler for their fourth project together.

Jordan and Coogler’s collaborations, Creed and Sinners, were both successful movies individually, but with Black Panther, they ventured into the superhero genre and soared to the pinnacle of all-time box office records. However, the massive MCU blockbuster wasn’t Jordan’s initial superhero adventure. In fact, the same year that Creed was released, he portrayed Johnny Storm in Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four, an unsuccessful endeavor to bring Marvel Comics’ iconic title to life on screen.

Jordan’s Chronicle Is A Hit On The Streaming Charts

It’s Up To Number 6 On Max

Reflecting on Jordan’s body of work, his past collaboration with director Trank, specifically the 2012 movie “Chronicle”, may not be the first film that springs to mind. Yet, this found-footage superhero film is experiencing a surge in popularity on streaming platforms these days. With a gross earnings of $126 million against a production budget of only $15 million, it appeared as though the movie and its creators were poised for great things. However, writer Max Landis and directors Trank experienced a decline in their success for different reasons.

The fact that Jordan is part of the cast might be a major factor behind why the previously overlooked “Chronicle” has become a streaming success on Max, reaching number 6 on their top 10 chart (as reported by Flixpatrol). At present, there are two versions of the movie available on the platform, and it’s the director’s cut that is currently ranking high in the top 10.

Our Take On Chronicle Being A Streaming Hit

The Movie May Be Unjustly Maligned After Trank And Landis’ Downfalls

Following the success of the low-budget film “Chronicle,” which grossed over $100 million at the box office, Trank emerged as one of Hollywood’s most promising young directors. However, his career took a dramatic turn for the worse when “Fantastic Four” flopped, earning only $167 million worldwide against a reported budget of $120 million. Since then, Trank has directed only one film, the enigmatic failure “Capone,” and there’s speculation that he may struggle to secure another opportunity after airing contentious tales about the troubled production of “Fantastic Four.

The fall from grace of screenwriter Landis was particularly dramatic, with signs appearing during the production of Chronicle, when he was barred from the set by Trank. Subsequently, several accusations of sexual misconduct against Landis have surfaced, and since 2020’s Shadow in the Cloud, no film based on one of his screenplays has been released.

Although the film “Chronicle” may have faded from popular culture due to controversies surrounding its director and writer, it’s worth noting that other team members associated with the movie don’t bear those same tarnishes. In fact, their work is experiencing a renaissance, thanks in part to streaming platforms. Jordan, who was once linked to two movies alongside the seemingly doomed Trank, managed to emerge unscathed and has since moved on to even greater and more successful projects.

Jordan’s less famously recognized 2012 superhero film, Chronicle, is an intriguing addition to his body of work and could potentially pair well for a double-bill with Black Panther.

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2025-05-13 02:27