It looks like playing Erik Killmonger might have taken a toll out on Michael B. Jordan because the Black Panther star says he actually needed therapy to get back to himself after finishing his scenes for T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) first standalone movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Jordan just recently spoke about his process work on his role in Black Panther in an interview with Oprah Winfrey during a Super Soul Conversation taping earlier this week (via USA Today). According to the actor, he had to deliberately distance himself from others to get a proper feel of the villain that he was playing in the film.
"I spent a lot of time alone," revealed Jordan, "I figured Erik, his childhood growing up was pretty lonely. He didn't have a lot of people he could talk to about this place called Wakanda that didn't exist."
Not only that, but Jordan also had to tap into all the "pain and rage and all those emotions" that Killmonger represents from being "black and brown here in America."
After all that, Jordan had to get some therapy.
"I think just being in that kind of mental state … it caught up with me," the actor admitted.
Killmonger, the cousin of T'Challa, had been abandoned by his uncle and his nation at a very early age. Living in America after the death of his father, Killmonger grew up angry and alone, fueling hatred against a nation that shunned him.
When Black Panther premiered last year, fans couldn't help but praise the development of the film's villain. Not only was Killmonger grounded, but the motivation behind his attempts at taking over Wakanda was strong and personal. Fans loved Killmonger.
Now, Black Panther is being nominated for several categories at the Oscars, including Best Picture.
Jordan is rumored to return as Killmonger in Black Panther 2. The film doesn't have a release date yet but we'll update everyone as soon as we get word.
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