Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan open to playing Killmonger again
The future of the Black Panther franchise has been up in the air ever since the tragic passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman. With the MCU now confirming T’Challa will not return in any form — neither by digital sorcery nor recasting — the sequels will tread a different path.
Speaking to People, Michael B. Jordan — who played villain Erik Killmonger in the first movie — seemed open to the idea of returning to the role. “Being in that world in a character that I loved playing, and working with [director Ryan Coogler] and all that good stuff, it’s family,” he 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.”
How could Michael B. Jordan return as Killmonger after Black Panther?
True, Killmonger died at the end of Black Panther, but death has rarely been much of an impediment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Vision died in Avengers: Infinity War and he’s a main character on Marvel Studios’ first-ever Disney+ series as we speak.
Jordan also said that the franchise is “very, very near and dear to my heart,” and opened up on his experience dealing with the loss of his costar. “[I] had a really tough year losing somebody close to me. And what that means for that franchise is it was devastating.”
Still, Coogler and co are all in agreement that the best way to honor Boseman is to build upon the legacy he built, even if that means switching character lanes. Alongside a Killmonger storyline, there have also been suggestions of an expansion of Shuri’s (Letitia Wright) role.
While all that remains speculation for now, one thing we do know is that Black Panther II is happening, with a release date already set for July 8, 2022, with Coogler back in the driving seat. “[He] is working very hard right now on the script with all the respect and love and genius that he has, which gives us great solace, so it was always about furthering the mythology and the inspiration of Wakanda,” Marvel Studios COO Kevin Feige said earlier this month. “There’s also the task of honoring and respecting the ongoing learnings and teachings from Chad as well.”
Next. Anthony Mackie was afraid The Falcon and the Winter Soldier would be “sh**ty”. dark
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