Michael B. Jordan’s Shocking Confession About His Killmonger Comeback!

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Michael B. Jordan joined the cast of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (2022) without first reading the script, but the opportunity to work with his friend and director Ryan Coogler in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was all it took for him to sign on. What came as a surprise to both fans and Jordan himself was that the sequel to 2018’s “Black Panther” included a brief yet impactful appearance by Jordan’s memorable character, Erik Killmonger, also known as N’Jadaka.

As a devoted cinephile, I witnessed Killmonger meet his end in a fierce battle against T’Challa, who was brilliantly portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman. Both combatants donned their vibranium suits, transforming into the Golden Jaguar and Black Panther respectively. However, it wasn’t until Shuri, my dear Letitia Wright, gained her extraordinary powers that she crossed paths with her cousin, N’Jadaka, on the mystical Ancestral Plane. During an engaging conversation with GQ, Michael B. Jordan hinted at reprising his role in the upcoming film, “Wakanda Forever.

Returning to work on Panther 2 after Chadwick’s untimely death was a real challenge for me. I was gearing up to direct Creed 3, but Coogler (Ryan Coogler), who is like my brother, didn’t even let me read the whole script for Panther 2 at first. It was quite unexpected.

Jordan continued by saying:

He held his cards close, revealing very little throughout the production for various reasons. Consequently, just like everyone else, I was eager to watch the film and discover how he would bring the project to life. To put it plainly, I was excited. Moreover, the cast seemed particularly invested in the project because of Chadwick, as if we were working on it for him personally.

Michael B. Jordan Has Always Been a ‘Black Panther’ Comic Book Fan

Michael B. Jordan took on one of the most formidable villains within the MCU, notably after his character Erik Killmonger gained his powers from the mystical heart-shaped herb and transformed into the Golden Jaguar. It’s worth mentioning that Jordan is an avid reader of the Black Panther comic books, where Killmonger was initially introduced in Marvel’s Jungle Action issue 6 (1973). In a recent conversation with GQ, Jordan shared this enthusiasm for the character.

I’m quite fond of comic books, and one of the rare black characters was among them. As Marvel films started to emerge, and I was growing up, I found myself yearning to be a part of that cinematic universe as an actor. There were only a few roles I could envision myself playing in this world. Chadwick Boseman was cast first, then the opportunity for me came along – one of the select characters I had imagined myself portraying.

After discussing Killmonger, there was an exchange like this: ‘Alright, let’s do it. Let’s give it our best shot.’ At that stage, the bond was already forged. The connection between us grew steadily stronger with each new project […] There are transformations that can’t be measured due to that film, and I feel truly grateful to have been involved in it.

Viewers can reexperience Michael B. Jordan’s gripping portrayal of the clever Erik Killmonger in both “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which are now streaming on Disney+. But, cinema enthusiasts won’t have to wait too long to see Jordan and Ryan Coogler team up again on the big screen. Their upcoming collaboration, a supernatural horror film titled “Sinners,” is set to hit theaters on April 18, offering a thrilling departure from their exceptional work in the MCU.

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2025-02-22 21:03