Michael B. Jordan Returning For Black Panther 2?
Is Michael B. Jordan coming back as Killmonger? The actor actually spoke about it.
This article is more than 2 years old
It’s difficult to deny that Michael B. Jordan’s magnetic take on the villainous Killmonger was one of the standouts of 2018’s Black Panther. He brought pain and purpose to a character who had been denied a better life, turning in a remarkably inspired performance that had fans wishing he would return in some way, through some cosmic rewrite of fate. He is every bit as irreplaceable as Chadwick Boseman, his late co-star who portrayed the titular superhero throughout Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Now, People is reporting that Michael B. Jordan is absolutely willing to reprise his role if Marvel ever approached him about it. Of a possible Killmonger return, Jordan said, “We created a family over there. So to be able to be in that world again is something that, I think, will always be on the table in some capacity.”
It makes sense that he would want to come back. He very clearly loved playing the character, despite the toll it took on him. He was one of Marvel’s best big-screen villains, and even now, three years and a handful of Marvel Cinematic Universe stories later, his interpretation of a classic comic book character still stands as one of the most memorable adversaries any of the Avengers ever faced.
In 2019, Marvel Cinematic Universe architect Kevin Feige referred to then-popular whispers that Michael B. Jordan would return as “pure rumor and speculation.” Newer rumors have started popping up, and now that director Ryan Coogler is presumably much further into his script now, we will likely get more concrete word on whether or not we can expect Jordan to return to what is honestly one of his greatest roles.
In addition to his Marvel role, Michael B. Jordan has starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in both Creed films, Chronicle, Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four, and in 2019’s phenomenal, true story-inspired Just Mercy. On television, he has appeared in an episode of The Sopranos, 12 episodes of The Wire, The Boondocks, and, more recently, Gen: Lock.
In 2020, People Magazine named Michael B. Jordan “The Sexiest Man Alive.” Other recognition he has received includes a spot on Time‘s list of the world’s most influential people and #15 on The New York Times‘s ranking of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century. Pretty impressive stuff, isn’t it? He is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable, most sought-after names in Hollywood, and he has absolutely earned that honor. He is amazing in Creed and in Black Panther, helping elevate both of those films as well as making the potential for him to appear in the sequel to the latter even more exciting.
Black Panther 2, starring Letitia Wright as the franchise’s new lead, is currently scheduled for release on July 8, 2022. Who knows if that release date will hold, though? The ongoing pandemic could still force Disney and Marvel to shift that date, although it is somewhat unlikely.
What are your thoughts? Did you like Michael B. Jordan’s turn as Killmonger? Let us know!
