Michael B. Jordan thinks his Black Panther character Killmonger isn’t a villain.
Black Panther acted as a cultural reset when it debuted in 2018. One of the biggest blockbusters of the year, the film was praised for its moving story, intense action sequences, performances, and thematic ambiguity. After the film’s release, many debated if Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger, who was propped up as the villain, was actually a bad guy.
Some argued that Killmonger’s intentions were wholly positive, but his execution was flawed and malicious. Others completely disagreed and believe Killmonger was just as evil as the likes of Thanos. Whether you agree or disagree, Michael B. Jordan believes the character wasn’t a villain. Jordan explained his position whilst speaking Bleacher Report, discussing how Killmonger’s actions don’t undermine the love he had for his people.
“No… he cared about his people just as much as T’Challa. He just had a different way of going about getting it done.”
Killmonger definitely fit the profile of a villain but Michael B. Jordan does bring up an interesting point when he says that the character cared for his people. T’Challa and Killmonger may have operated on opposite ends of the spectrum, yet they believed in the same cause.
Here is the synopsis for the first Black Panther film:
After the death of his father, the king of Wakanda, young T’Challa returns home to the isolated high-tech African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king – and Black Panther – is tested when he’s drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, he must release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit theaters on July 8, 2022. Stay tuned for all the latest news surrounding Black Panther’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content!
Source: Bleacher Report