Michael B. Jordan opened up about the lasting effects of playing Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, revealing how the intense role led him to seek therapy. The actor explained how portraying the emotionally complex character left a deeper impact than expected.
Michael B. Jordan says he sought therapy after playing Erik Killmonger in Black Panther
Michael B. Jordan revealed that he sought therapy after portraying Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (2018). In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, he explained, “It kind of stuck with me for a bit. I went to therapy, talked about it, found a way to kind of just decompress.” Jordan said the process helped him understand the need to separate from emotionally intense roles. “I was still learning that I needed to decompress from a character,” he noted.
Erik Killmonger is driven by trauma, abandonment, and betrayal. Jordan stated, “He had a lot of betrayal, a lot of failed systems around him that shaped him and his anger and his frustration.” He immersed himself in the role by isolating from his family. “I didn’t really speak to my family that much. I was kind of isolated a bit… tried to live like he would have lived for a bit,” Jordan said.
Killmonger, a former Navy SEAL, seeks to avenge his father’s death and challenge T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) for the throne of Wakanda. His backstory involves his father’s execution by King T’Chaka for smuggling vibranium out of Wakanda.
Jordan noted that therapy turned into “a bigger conversation and self-discovery.” He emphasized the importance of communication and personal development. “Talking is really important… It definitely helped me throughout the years and to this day of trying to be a good communicator and a well-rounded person, inside and out.”
He added, “That’s something I’m not ashamed of at all and very proud of.” Jordan described acting as a “solo journey,” requiring personal reflection. He said therapy “is necessary… especially for men.” He originally embraced the role for its complexity and freedom, stating, “You can blur those lines and be a little less on-point, morally.”
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on SuperHeroHype.
