Michael B Jordan Reveals His Top Two Screen Villains

When it comes to casting, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has long been praised for its heroes, yet its antagonists have often failed to leave a lasting impression. That changed with Michael B Jordan’s arrival as Erik Killmonger in Black Panther, a role that stood apart from the usual line-up of forgettable adversaries. Killmonger, unlike many before him, was a figure whose anger felt justified. Having grown up abandoned and witnessing the mistreatment and prejudice faced by his community, he was driven to take action, even if it meant seizing control of Wakanda. While T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, advocated for non-violence, his perspective was shaped by a different experience, one that did not include the same exposure to global injustice that fuelled Killmonger’s resolve.

Speaking to W magazine, Jordan explained that villains with depth and empathy are the most compelling.

“They are the ones you can empathise with,”

he said.

“They want you to not like them, but you can still understand their motivation. Even though you’re the villain in Black Panther, do people on the street still say ‘Wakanda forever’ to you? They don’t immediately realise that my character is not exactly pro-Wakanda. Midway through saying something, it registers: ‘Oh, he wasn’t really with Wakanda’. But, by then, they’ve already committed.”

Villains Who Redefined the Genre

Jordan’s pride in his portrayal of Killmonger is evident, but he also credits earlier comic book villains for paving the way. When asked to name his all-time favourites, he admitted,

“it’s a tie”

between two iconic figures: Heath Ledger’s Joker and Michael Fassbender’s Magneto.

Superhero films have been a staple since the late 1970s, but it was The Dark Knight that truly elevated the genre. Christopher Nolan’s crime epic delved into themes of escalation, obsession, and the nature of heroism, but it was Ledger’s chilling take on the Joker that captured the public’s imagination. Ledger’s performance, which earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, became a cultural touchstone. While his Joker was not as relatable as Killmonger, he did force audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about society’s acceptance of chaos.

Magneto: A Tragic Figure

Michael Fassbender’s Magneto, meanwhile, offered a more traditional sense of tragedy. Taking over from Ian McKellen, Fassbender brought new complexity to the role, beginning with X-Men: First Class. Here, Magneto’s backstory as a Holocaust survivor seeking justice for his mother’s death added layers to his descent into darkness. His journey from friend to adversary of Charles Xavier, played by James McAvoy, made his transformation all the more poignant.

With the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, many characters from the X-Men universe were retired, and Fassbender’s final appearance as Magneto came in Dark Phoenix. However, speculation surrounds the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars, which is rumoured to unite beloved characters from across the franchises. This could potentially see Jordan’s Killmonger and Fassbender’s Magneto face each other at last.