When it comes to villains in comic-book movies, it's easier to count these disappointing, forgettable ones. Sadly, a good, fully realized bad guy is a rarity. The DC EU has a controversial approach to their villains, but no one doubts that one of the best, if not the best (and not just a comic-book) villain of all time is Heath Ledger's Joker in Christopher Nolan's
The Dark Knight. Mutants also have a worthy representative, as Michael Fassbender's Magneto is still one of the best parts of the
X-Men universe.
Michael B. Jordan who's playing the main antagonist in
Black Panther decided to learn from these two actors. In an interview with Empire, Jordan admitted that he tried to reach their golden status with his take on Killmonger: "
You see performances as an actor, and as a fan - you look at Heath Ledger's performance, say, in The Dark Knight, and it's like, "Wow". I want to try to get something like that. You want Michael Fassbender's Magneto. Just trying to find my place amongst those roles, and strive for that, even if I don't make it".
Jordan clearly acknowledges what makes a good villain. We will see soon how Killmonger looks in comparison to his inspirations. Let's just hope he's playing another Erik Lehnsherr, not Iron Monger.
After the events of Marvel's Captain America: Civil War, King T'Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakanadan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.
Ryan Coogler's Black Panther hits the theaters on February 16, 2018.