Whenever anybody recalls the best MCU movies, Black Panther makes sure to grab one of the top spots on the list. Michael B. Jordan’s electrifying performance as Erik Killmonger is also a significant reason why the fans love the movie so much. The Creed fame presented one of the best antagonists in a Marvel movie. But sadly, unknown to many fans the actor went through a lot to pull off such a performance.
It is not new for Hollywood actors to take themselves through insane ways to pull off iconic performances. Michael B. Jordan also had to go through a similar rocky way as the role of Killmonger had a deep impact on his mental health and directly led him to the therapist’s chamber.
How did the role of Erik Killmonger affect Michael B. Jordan?
Besides the cultural significance and the handling of the African themes, Jordan’s performance was also acclaimed internationally. Despite following an intense workout regime to prepare for the role, the Fruitvale Station actor also followed certain procedures to immerse himself into the mental space of Killmonger. Interestingly, it was anything but easy as the method acting even led Michael B. Jordan to consult a therapist after the filming wrapped up.
During an interview with Oprah Winfrey in her Soulful Conversations TV Special, Jordan revealed how he had to embrace the loneliness possessed by the character. Erik Killmonger had a dark past where he grew up all alone. As a result of this, the actor also used to spend a lot of alone time to understand Killmonger’s motivations more clearly.
“I spent a lot of time alone. I figured Erik, his childhood growing up was pretty lonely. He didn’t have a lot of people he could talk to about this place called Wakanda that didn’t exist.”
Sadly, the urge to do full justice to the character of the Black Panther antagonist cost Michael B. Jordan his mental health. It became very difficult for him to go back to his normal mental health again. Eventually took the help of therapy to get back to his normal state.
“I went to therapy, I started talking to people, started unpacking a little bit. [I started] readjusting to people caring about me, getting that love that I shut out… I shut out love, I didn’t want love. I wanted to be in this lonely place as long as I could.”
The 36-year-old actor further also praised therapy for helping him to return to his normal state. During some other media interactions, he also added how Heath Ledger’s role as Joker in The Dark Knight also served as an inspiration for him to play the Black Panther antagonist.
While several fans were eager to spot Killmonger again in the frames of MCU, the makers of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever devised a unique way to incorporate him into the story.
Erik Killmonger’s return in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The impact of Killmonger was such that almost every fan wanted to see Michael B. Jordan helming the role once again. Many theories claimed that he can come back from the dead and can be the next Black Panther but the makers opted for a different way.
Ryan Coogler and his team did a splendid job in putting Jordan’s cameo in the sequel in a very clever way so that it doesn’t look logicless. But this time also the actor faced certain troubles. while speaking to ETOnline, the actor claimed that Marvel went full crazy and he even made him lie to his family about his return.
“I had to lie to my whole family. See what Marvel had me doing? Lied to my whole family, it’s crazy.”
Fortunately, the secrecy of the news helped the audiences to enjoy the moment of the momentary return of one of their favorites. Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger will undoubtedly continue to remain one of the greatest MCU antagonists.
Both Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever can be streamed on Disney+.
Source: Oprah Winfrey
