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Black Panther Star Michael B. Jordan Doesn't Think That Killmonger is a Villain


Michael B. Jordan's Erik Killmonger in Black Panther is considered as one of the best villains in the MCU because of his motivations and the actor's performance which added gravitas to the role that made him as compelling as he is. Everyone can pretty much agree that despite his motivations and upbringing, Killmonger is a full-on villain. However, Jordan doesn't agree with it.

Speaking with Bleacher Report, Jordan was asked if Killmonger was a villain in which he responded with a simple "No." Then, when the interviewer suggested that the character is more of an antagonist than a straight-up villain, the actor agreed. He said, "I think he was a necessary part of the conversation. He cared about his people just as much as T'Challa. He just had a different way about getting it done. I think he was a historian that studied the history of government and oppression. Erik is a really smart guy, an MIT graduate. He's very intelligent."

He added, "He saw there was really only one way to change things, so he went about that. I don't think his argument was completely wrong. I don't think T'Challa's argument was completely wrong. I think it was a necessary conversation that needed to be had."

It is understandable why Jordan doesn't see Killmonger as the villain since he was the actor who played him and, when you're in that position, you have to be empathetic to the character that you're playing even though it's a villain. He does understand his motivations and he sees him way differently than the audience.

However, a lot of fans might not agree with Jordan's perspective since we have seen in the first film that Killmonger is a genocidal maniac who would do whatever it takes to get what he wants even if he has to kill innocent people despite his understandable motives. Of course, it's a subjective discussion so everyone will have a different opinion than the other and it's a great debate that fans will continue to have.

Also Read: Chadwick Boseman's Brother Speaks Up On T'Challa's Recast in Black Panther 2

Recently, there have been rumors that Jordan might return as Killmonger in the upcoming sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to take the "mentor role" for a young hero in the Ancestral Plane although it hasn't been confirmed yet by Marvel nor the people involved in the film.

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