Michael B. Jordan says playing Erik Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther took an emotional toll that lingered long after filming wrapped, prompting him to seek therapy to recover from the role.
Struggling to Shake Killmonger
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Jordan said the character “stuck” with him after the 2018 film. He explained that therapy helped him talk through the experience and learn how to decompress after fully inhabiting a character, something he was still figuring out early in his career.
The Isolation Behind the Performance
Jordan said he immersed himself deeply in Killmonger before shooting, spending long periods isolated and barely speaking to family. He noted that the character’s lack of love and history of betrayal fueled his anger and frustration, which made the role especially heavy to carry.
Learning to Decompress
Reflecting on the process, Jordan described acting as a largely solitary journey, from auditioning to preparation. Through therapy, he realized the importance of talking and letting go of emotional weight left behind by intense roles.
A Landmark Film
Jordan starred opposite the late Chadwick Boseman in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther, alongside Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and others. The film became a cultural phenomenon, earning $1.34 billion worldwide after its February 2018 release.
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