Michael B. Jordan Refused to See Any ‘Family and Children’ While Playing Killmonger: ‘It Was Hard to Want Love’ Afterwards

variety.com:

Zack Sharf Michael B. Jordan earned universal acclaim for his Marvel debut as the villainous Killmonger in “Black Panther,” but it’s a role that came with great sadness.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone ahead of “Creed III” opening in theaters, Jordan revealed that he avoided his entire family and didn’t interact with any children during the entirety of the “Black Panther” production. “Killmonger allowed me to access the pain.

And the unapologetic frustration that I had,” Jordan said about the role, which forced the actor to confront centuries of Black oppression. “But then, obviously, there’s a sadness that comes along with that.

I dove into that for a lot longer than I ever had before. So coming out of that [role] it was hard to want love. Because during shooting I kept myself from family and children, and away from everything that Killmonger never had.” During a 2019 interview as part of Oprah Winfrey’s “SuperSoul Conversations” tour, Jordan admitted that his role as Killmonger drove him to therapy after “Black Panther” opened in theaters. “It was a little tough for me at first,” Jordan said.  “Readjusting to people caring about me, getting that love that I shut out.