Black Panther is one of the most popular films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Not only was the film full of powerful action and distinctive characters, but it also left a mark on society with its portrayal of Wakanda.
However, not every star has emerged from Black Panther carefree. Erik Killmonger actor Michael B. Jordan, who also starred in the Creed films, needed therapy after filmingto shed the villain role.
Michael B. Jordan went into stressful depths for Black Panther character
As our international sister site AdoroCinema picked up, Jordan spoke as a guest on Oprah Winfrey about needing therapeutic help because of the Marvel film:
I was alone, isolating myself… I spent a lot of time alone. I thought Erik [Killmonger] had a pretty lonely childhood. He didn’t have many people to talk to about this place called Wakanda that didn’t exist.
In order to be able to put himself in the shoes of the Black Panther antagonist as well as possible, the actor also spent a lot of time thinking about the African-American perspective within the film:
Of course, it’s an extreme, exaggerated version of the African diaspora from the African-American perspective, so to be able to capture that kind of pain and anger and all those emotions that Erik kind of represents, being black and brown here in America. I did not take this lightly.
Jordan also told Winfrey that he “no escape plan” to escape the role after filming. As a result, he got a little too lost in the dark thoughts of the Black Panther villain.
After filming, Jordan went into therapy, where he talk about your feelings and he was able to be helped a lot.
How to watch Black Panther?
If you now feel like seeing Michael B. Jordan’s villainous portrayal in Black Panther for yourself, you can watch the Marvel blockbuster anytime with Disney+ subscription stream. Here you can also watch all other MCU films and series in the flat.