> At a Glance
> – Michael B. Jordan says playing Erik Killmonger left him needing therapy
> – Used method acting, isolating from family to build the villain
> – Calls therapy “necessary” and urges more men to seek help
> – Why it matters: Shows impact intense roles can have on actors’ mental health
Michael B. Jordan’s chilling turn as Erik Killmonger in 2018’s Black Panther haunted him long after cameras stopped rolling.
The Role That Stayed
Jordan, 38, told CBS Sunday Morning the experience “stuck with me for a bit,” prompting him to seek professional help.
> “[I] went to therapy and talked about it, found a way to kind of just decompress.“
He credits the sessions with helping him separate from the rage-driven character.
Inside Killmonger’s Mind
To embody the antagonist, Jordan:
- Lived in isolation away from loved ones
- Studied Killmonger’s history of betrayal and systemic failure
- Embraced the character’s belief that history repeats itself
> “Erik didn’t really know a lot of love… He had a lot of betrayal, a lot of failed systems around him.“
Therapy as Strength
After realizing he was still living in Killmonger’s mindset post-release, Jordan began therapy and now champions mental-health conversations-especially among men.
> “I think it’s good for them to go and talk. That’s something I’m not ashamed of at all, and very proud of.“
He says the process made him “a good communicator and a well-rounded person.”
Honoring Chadwick Boseman
Jordan also reflected on honoring late co-star Chadwick Boseman during the actor’s posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony last November.
> “Chad was a special person… hearing people talk about him, makes me feel full and happy.“
Key Takeaways
- Jordan’s method preparation for Killmonger blurred real-life boundaries
- Therapy helped him process lingering emotional residue
- He now encourages open discussions about men’s mental health
- He continues celebrating Boseman’s legacy
Jordan’s candor highlights the hidden toll of immersive roles and the power of professional support.
