- - Michael B. Jordan Reveals Therapy Was Essential After Black Panther Villain Role

Miu von FurstenbergJanuary 5, 2026 at 11:00 PM

0

Actor Michael B Jordan has revealed that he sought professional help to process the emotional weight of portraying villain Erik Killmonger in the groundbreaking 2018 Marvel film Black Panther.

During a recent interview with CBS Sunday Morning, the acclaimed performer discussed the lasting impact of embodying one of cinema’s most complex antagonists. Jordan shared that the role “kind of stuck with me for a bit” following production.

Michael B. Jordan at the ‘Sinners’ photocall at Angel of Independence in Mexico City on March 30, 2025. Photo Credit: Carlos Tischler/EyePix/INSTARimages

The Golden Globe nominee explained that he turned to therapy to help separate himself from the character’s dark mindset. He emphasized the importance of decompression after intense roles, acknowledging that he was still learning this crucial aspect of his craft during the Black Panther filming period.

The Isolation of Killmonger

Jordan described the deliberate isolation he embraced to authentically portray Erik Killmonger. The character’s traumatic background required the actor to tap into profound loneliness and pain.

He noted that Erik “didn’t really know a lot of love” and instead experienced betrayal and systemic failures throughout his life. These elements shaped the villain’s anger and deep-seated frustration.

Michael B. Jordan at the Photocall for ‘Sinners’ at IET in London on April 13, 2025. Photo Credit: Lucy North/PA Images/INSTARimages

To embody this emotional state, Jordan distanced himself from loved ones during production. He admitted, “I shut out love, I didn’t want love” while inhabiting the character’s psyche.

The Path Back

The Creed star explained that acting often involves solitary preparation and practice. Without a clear process for exiting a character’s headspace, he found himself carrying residual emotional weight after filming concluded.

Therapy provided Jordan with essential tools for processing these experiences. The sessions evolved beyond discussing Black Panther, spiraling into broader conversations about self-discovery and mental health.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 20: Michael B. Jordan attends the 39th annual American Cinematheque Awards Honoring Michael B. Jordan at The Beverly Hilton on November 20, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for American Cinematheque)

Jordan has been vocal about breaking stigmas surrounding men seeking therapy. He rejected traditional notions of masculinity that discourage emotional vulnerability, emphasizing that everyone benefits from unpacking their experiences through conversation.

Box Office Phenomenon

Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler, became a cultural milestone upon its February 2018 release. The film earned $1.34 billion worldwide and featured an ensemble cast including the late Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, and Winston Duke.

Jordan’s nuanced performance as Killmonger earned widespread acclaim. The character resonated with audiences for his compelling motivations and tragic backstory, elevating him beyond typical superhero movie villains.

The actor briefly reprised the role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in a surprise cameo. His willingness to discuss the mental health challenges of intense method acting has contributed to important industry conversations about actor wellness.

EDITOR’S PICKS

Why Hudson Williams Calls His Friendship with Co-Star Connor Storrie a “Nightmare for HR”

Restaurant Staff Left “Star Struck” by Zendaya and Tom Holland Visit at Leicestershire Curry House

The Chicken Roast Rift: The Surprising Incident That Led Brooklyn Beckham to Block His Family

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”