In the late 90s Michael B. Jordan began his career with small appearances in front of the camera. However, stardom reached him with the premiere of Creeda film that gave a second wind to the franchise Rocky. For 2018 he participated in Black Panther, although this brought him various psychological consequences.
During his third collaboration with director Ryan Coogler, Jordan played the antagonist Erik Killmonger. This villain became one of the most prominent characters in the film and in the Marvel Universe in general. However, his process took him to a fairly strong experience and emotional cost.
According to what the actor told the magazine Rolling Stonewent through several moments of isolation, in addition to exploring thoughts of pain and frustration to better understand his interpretation.
“Killmonger allowed me to access the pain and frustration I had without apologizing. But then, obviously, there's a sadness that comes with that. I immersed myself in it for much longer than I ever had before.. During filming I stayed away from family and kids, and everything Killmonger never had.”
Michael B. Jordan in an interview with Rolling Stone.
He expressed this feeling in another interview, now with Oprah Winfrey, where he confessed the process he immersed himself in to carry out his work perfectly. Furthermore, he emphasized that Killmonger's such emotions represent what it is to be an African-American person in the United States, an issue that was not taken lightly.
“I just did what I felt I had to do, or what I felt was right at the time, every step of the way. There was no plan, nor did I have an escape plan. Living each day was just entering that space. And I tried to stay there as long as possible“.
Michael B. Jordan in interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Thus, after finishing his work in Black PantherJordan needed time to reconnect with himself and readjust to relationships with people who cared about him, after neglecting love and personal connections for so long.
“I think being in that kind of state of mind, so real, uncompromising… all the time, it affected me. I was a little depressed“.
So it was that the process of “unraveling” that experience, along with time and therapy, helped him restructure his mind and overcome the emotional barriers he developed. In addition, time was taken to raise awareness about the importance of men's mental health.
“As a man, I think we have a lot of resistance to that in general, you know what it's like to be masculine. I don't really agree with that, because I feel like everyone needs to unpack and talk.whether with a therapist, close friend, or family member“.
Also starring Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong'o, Angela Basset and Daniel Kaluuya, you can find the Oscar nominee for Best Picture, Black Panther, as well as its sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, via Disney+.
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