In this weekโs Sunday night movie, Creed II, Michael B. Jordan steps into the ring to reprise his role as Adonis in the Rocky franchise. Thatโs exactly why weโre pulling no punches (sorry, we just had to be punny at least twice), and taking a look at the talented young actorโs top five roles.
Wallace, The Wire
Jordanโs career started on a solid note with an appearance on The Sopranos. He would appear in several popular and acclaimed shows thereafter, but his harrowing stint as a teenage drug dealer on the gritty crime series The Wire remains one of his most memorable.
WATCH HERE: South African premiere of Creed II.
Oscar Grant III, Fruitvale Station (2013)
Director Ryan Coogler has made three films with Jordan. Kickstarting their regular collaboration was Cooglerโs feature directorial debut, Fruitvale Station. Based on the true story of the fatal police shooting of Oscar Grant III, Jordan delivered a moving performance as the young Grant, nudging the actorย into the spotlight.
WATCH HERE: Talking Creed II with Michael B. Jordan.
Mikey, That Awkward Moment (2014)
Landing a role in this rom-com allowed Jordan to dabble in the world of frothy, popcorn fare. It may not have been the most highly lauded of films, but it displayed the actorโs ability to play funny, sweet, and charming.
WATCH HERE: Talking Creed II with Steven Caple Jr. andย Florian Munteanu.
Adonis Johnson, Creed (2015)
If Fruitvale Station nudged Jordan into the spotlight, his second film with Coogler, and the seventh film in the Rocky franchise, shoved him firmly into position. As Adonis Creed, son of Rockyโs rival-turned-friend Apollo Creed, Jordan delivers a powerhouse performance that displayed both physical prowess and emotional poignancy. ย
MORE HERE: 7ย Rocky movies, 7 facts.
Erik Killmonger, Black Panther (2018)
His third collaboration with Coogler was the box-office-smashing, stereotype-busting eighteenth movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film was praised for its costumes, music, and production design. Weaving all these elements together was a strong ensemble cast, of which Jordanโs character and performance were a definiteย highlight. Although touted as the movieโs antagonist, Killmonger took a Darth Vaderesque turn in this superhero epic. Through both the writing and Jordanโs performance, Killmonger revealed complexities that elevated the character to more than mere villain.
MORE HERE: Twelve things you need to know about Black Panther.
Watch Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed in Creed II, your Sunday night movie on 18 August at 20:05 on M-Net channel 101 or on Saturday 24 August at 20:00 on M-Net Movies Premiere channel 104.