Michael B. Jordan recently opened up about how the late Chadwick Boseman was a central focus for him and the cast while filming the sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Jordan briefly reprised his role as Killmonger in this much-anticipated film, and in a video interview with GQ, he expressed the emotional weight of returning without the beloved actor being present.
Reflecting on his experience, Jordan shared the challenges of coming back to do Black Panther 2 after the profound loss of Chadwick. “Coming back to do Black Panther 2 after the tragedy of losing Chadwick was an extremely tough one. I was in pre-production for Creed 3, so I was getting ready to go direct. At the time, I didn’t even read the whole script, so I didn’t know what the whole movie was about,” he recounted, indicating the depth of his emotions during the project.
Although Jordan’s character, Erik Killmonger, died in the first Black Panther movie, he returned in Wakanda Forever in a pivotal scene, offering advice to Shuri, the new Black Panther, played by Letitia Wright. He acknowledged the secrecy surrounding the script, noting, “[Director Ryan Coogler] kept [the script] pretty, pretty close to the vest for a lot of different reasons. So I was just as excited as everybody else to watch the movie at the end, to see what he did with the whole thing, to be perfectly honest.” This highlights the anticipation that surrounded the film’s release, especially given its significance in honoring Boseman.
Despite his limited role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Jordan sensed a strong camaraderie among the cast, emphasizing that they were all working with Boseman’s memory in mind. “It felt like we were all doing it for Chadwick. We did that movie for him,” he added, encapsulating the essence of the film’s tribute. This sentiment reflects a collective respect and remembrance that resonated throughout the production process.
Beyond his personal experiences on set, Jordan also discussed the broader implications of his character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He stated, “Killmonger represented a side of a conversation. I feel like Black Panther and Killmonger love their people and their country more than anything. They just had two different ways of going about getting it done.” This perspective sheds light on the complex narratives that these characters embody, emphasizing that their struggles stem from deeply rooted motivations.
Jordan expressed his unique approach to portraying Killmonger, sharing, “As a guy who never went to acting school, my approach to acting is to always make things feel as real as possible to me. And a character like Erik, who didn’t really experience a lot of love throughout his life, spent a lot of it alone, and always had a mission that he wanted to accomplish.” His dedication to the role was evident as he chose to remain somewhat isolated during filming, allowing him to tap into the character’s emotional landscape.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serves not only as a continuation of a beloved franchise but also as a heartfelt homage to Chadwick Boseman, whose impact continues to echo through the performances of those who were honored to work alongside him. The film is currently streaming on Disney+, allowing fans to experience the tribute firsthand.
