Vanity Fair released this photo of Michael B. Jordan and writer-director Ryan Coogler back in March. There was a huge kerfuffle about the pic on social media and beyond about the pic and the body language between Michael and Ryan. Ryan and Michael have collaborated on two films so far which have completely redefined their careers: Fruitvale Station and Creed. Coogler is, to me, one of the most important up-and-coming writer-directors in Hollywood today, and Jordan is the next Brando/DeNiro/Hanks. For what it’s worth, Coogler and Jordan seem to adore each other and see each other as true collaborators. Jordan does his best work for Coogler, and Coogler has found (arguably) his greatest muse.
So, when Coogler signed on to direct Black Panther starring Chadwick Boseman, many of us were like YAAAYYY!! It seemed like a perfect fit. But there were still some missing parts. Reportedly, Lupita Nyong’o is in talks to star as Black Panther’s love interest, which is awesome for a lot of different reasons. And now Coogler has probably found his “villain”: Michael B. Jordan.
Michael B. Jordan will reteam with his Creed director, Ryan Coogler, for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, inking a deal to join movie’s buzzy cast, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. This marks the third time that Jordan will work with Coogler, who is both helming the comic book movie and writing the script with Joe Robert Cole. The first time the director and Jordan worked together was for the indie drama Fruitvale Station.
Chadwick Boseman is toplining Black Panther, while Lupita Nyong’o is in negotiations to star alongside him. It is unclear whom Jordan would play, but one source told THR that it could be a villain. Marvel had no comment.
Boseman and Black Panther were introduced in Captain America: Civil War, which crossed the $700 million worldwide mark in under a week and a half. The lead character, whose name is T’Challa, is the warrior king of Wakanda, Marvel’s fictional African nation that is rich in an unbreakable alloy called vibranium. Black Panther has a Feb. 16, 2018, release date, with production set to start in early 2017.
Do you think this is a good move for all parties? I think Jordan and Marvel have probably been looking for a way to get involved, and this is a good excuse. I also think Coogler probably wanted this, he wanted to work with Jordan again. But is it a good move for Jordan’s career, to be the second-tier villain in Chadwick Boseman’s film? If the film wasn’t starring Boseman already, Jordan would have likely been the next actor up for the role. So I do wonder if Jordan is just going to do this because his friend asked him to.
Photos courtesy of WENN, VF’s Instagram.
I’ve heard from a number of manager/agent types that the villain role in a Marvel movie is the plum get these days because it’s *way* less of a time commitment. Either it’s a one-and-done gig, or they have a smaller part that plays out over a few movies, like Daniel Bruhl in the new Captain America. They don’t have to do the same physical training regimen, and they’re on set about one-third the time as the hero lead. They get all the benefits of the Marvel machine with *much* less commitment. I can see the appeal to someone like MBJ, who has been open about wanting to conquer the world and be a major, international star.
I’m sure he’s doing it for more than just his friend asking him to. But that aside, he is seriously so beautiful. And that light blue sweater. Dayum. Call me!
Thank God they went with Boseman instead of Jordan.
I can’t think of a way to properly explain it without hurting feelings but Jordan just doesn’t have the ‘it’ to carry himself as a would be African King and warrior. He’s very American pretty boy.
Even the idea of him as a villain tickles me a bit but I am SO ready for this film that I don’t even care. I just saw it again this Monday with family and I really hope they bring back that statuesque close shaved woman that told Black Widow to move. 1 line in the film and damn did she make an impression.
I get what you’re saying Eternal. And after seeing Civil War, Chadwick was AMAZING as Black Panther. Easily my favorite character from the movie, so I’m happy he’s the one who’s going to be leading the franchise.
So so happy Marty. I didn’t have any expectations for him but he really carried his own personality and persona as a superhero. I didn’t feel like he or his story was visual filler and thus I’m pumped for this movie.
Give me more Boseman, badass tall black ladies, native Africa.
If they manage to get Idris Alba in here somewhere I’ll just die of joy.
Move or be moved. She’s a German actress, first name is Florence and her delivery of that one line was fantastic. I do hope they bring her back. She was fierce.
Florence Kasumba is her name
I’m here for this! Black Panther, MBJ as the villain and Florence who as I’ve said be before better be in the new film.
Thanks Lilac!
Fierce as hell. I’m excited for Lupita but I have to admit if Florence was also cast as his girlfriend I would not have been sad. She was so strong and I loved how she stared down Black Widow as she walked away like, “You’re lucky he told me to walk away.”
SHE was everything. “Moved or be moved Becky”
Well and to be fair Boseman is eleven years older than Jordan! That age and experience difference can definitely lend itself to gravitas.
I like MBJ but All American pretty boy pretty much covers him. He has very middle of the road features.
Nah I get what you’re saying. There’s a maturity and a grace that comes with being Black Panther. They got it right with Chadwick. Now as a villain? I’m here for MBJ. It would be nice to see him take a walk on the dark side.
I would like to see what he can bring to the table as the bad guy. It’s hard to picture him pulling it off since so much of his presence has been smiley and cheerful.
This cast is shaping up nicely! (Thanks for sharing the sweater pics again.)
YYYAAAAAAAASSS!
Micheal is his muse so i could not see Coogler attempting such a large project without him. Glad I was right
I am so looking forward to this movie. And I think it can be a great move for Jordan. MCU movies can have rich villains- Loki, Thanos. I’m impressed with the level of talent Marvel is able to get. I’m not sure which villain Jordan would play but I would hope it’s not a one and done role. I enjoy him on screen. This movie has a very different pedigree than the Fantastic Four movie that Jordan starred in.
I think its also a good way for him to see how his following received him in a villain role without being hugely committed. Good luck to him, I’m a fan.
He is so adorable with great arms.
And I am way too old to be posting that.
Hey, join the club😅
Chadwick, Lupita, AND Michael B. all in the same movie???? How wonderful is God?!?!?
Even if he’s not the star he should do it. It would be so much fun and also big money. And ya girl would be in heaven with both of those beautiful men on screen. Yes. Please.
He does nothing for me and he’s a generic, mediocre actor at best.
No thank you.
I thought he was really amazing in Fruitville Station. I was underwhelmed by him in Creed. I thought he was good in his acting, but nothing great. His fight scenes were great, though. But I kept thinking, as I was watching the movie, that someone else could have brought so much more to that part as Apollo’s son as far as the actual acting scenes. I loved the actress who played his girlfriend..
Tessa Thompson, who has also joined the MCU in the Thor franchise
Michael is really talented but I have a hard time picturing him as a villain, especially next to Black Panther. I’m unfamiliar with the comics, but he reminded me of Batman. Rich, well educated, calm, calculating. As with Batman villains I would expect BP’s to be the very opposite of him – crazy and unpredictable. Michael would play the role well no doubt, but I’m not sure if I’ll be so convinced with that cute and healthy face of his (but well, makeup is there for a reason). And I’m talking out of my ass, I don’t even know who the villain is supposed to be.
I’ve been waiting for this thread for days now. I am so excited for this film. Chadwick Boseman killed it as Black Panther. The Move or be moved woman. Coogler. Michael B Jordan. Lupita. And probably Sebastian Stan, Martin Freeman, and Andy Serkis
I remember asking you about who he was going to play on Lupita’s thread. You thought his brother and I thought his uncle.
The villian. *sigh*. Not feeling it.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yesssssssssssss!
he is so cuteeeeeee
I am SO here for this. The talent, the sexiness, and the intrigue. Bring it.
Rumors about that Feige is now in talks with John Boyega as well.
Please add Eamonn Walker. Please.