Michael Jordan, star of Space Jam, has apparently decided to return to acting. As if winning six NBA championships for the Chicago Bulls wasn't enough, now he’s going to breathe fresh life in the Rocky franchise as….huh? Wait a minute… Oh shit. Wrong guy…. Let’s start over shall we?
Michael B. Jordan (no relation to Michael Jordan) is known by fans for his heartbreaking performances in The Wire and Friday Night Lights, and not for his basketball prowess. This young actor is known for his appearances in critically acclaimed dramas; he’s not the guy in the Air Jordan commercials. The “B” stands for “NOT BASKETBALL.”
Now that we've cleared up that mishap. Creed, the promising Rocky spin-off, is set to hit theaters on November 25, with Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as Rocky Balboa and Jordan set to star as the lead-Adonis Johnson Creed, son of Apollo Creed.
It’s been near 40 years since the original Rocky was first released, and almost a decade since the last Rocky film, Rocky Balboa, came out. It’s a cause of celebration that the franchise can continue with new characters for a new generation, and I can’t think of a better actor to uphold and continue the Rocky legacy than Jordan. Here’s an overview of some of his past roles, or as I like to call it-The 3 F's of Michael B. Jordan.
Fantastic Four (2015)-“Johnny Storm/The Human Torch”
Jordan has had several noteworthy performances under his belt, portraying a variety of complex characters. However, he only recently caught the general public’s attention when he was cast in the 2015 film, Fantastic Four, as Johnny Storm-a superhero that’s traditionally been portrayed as a blond, white male. Unfortunately, despite Jordan’s track record as a talented, accomplished actor, news of his casting was met with hostility, solely due to the color of his skin.The film is an absolute mess that even Jordan couldn't save us from. However, Jordan should still be considered "fantastic," not for his onscreen fight scenes, but for his off-screen battle against caveman antagonism. Jordan later tackled the race-fueled criticism against him by writing a poignant essay at Entertainment Weekly titled “Why I’m Torching the Color Line.” Here’s an excerpt.
“Look at the people walking next to you. Look at your friends’ friends and who they’re interacting with. And just understand this is the world we live in. It’s okay to like it.”
Fruitvale Station (2013)-“Oscar Grant”
Jordan’s first lead role was in the film, Fruitvale Station, a dramatization of the last 24 hours of Oscar Grant, an unarmed Oakland resident who was fatally shot by BART police officers while lying face-down on the ground. Jordan gave an incredibly powerful performance as Grant, portraying him as a flawed human being whose hopes and potential for rehabilitation and change was brutally and tragically snuffed by the gross misconduct of law enforcement.
Friday Night Lights (2009-2011)-“Vince Howard”
Jordan joined the main cast during FNL’s fourth season as Vince Howard, a troubled teen who've had several brushes with the law before becoming the quarterback for The East Dillon Lions. With so many original characters departing from the show, Jordan quickly became the show’s new emotional center and was a crucial factor in making its last two seasons so successful. Jordan’s tenure in FNL is evidence A in why he should be categorized as one of our generation’s greatest actors, and why we should all look forward to his soon-to-be breakout performance in Creed.
Other Prominent Roles
The Wire (2002)-“Wallace”
Parenthood (2010-2011)-“Alex”
Chronicle (2012)-“Steve Montgomery”
That Awkward Moment (2014)-"Mikey”
