We’re in the thick of another season for Michael B. Jordan as the acclaimed actor’s latest film, Creed III, is on the horizon. This installment not only stars Jordan once again as the lead character, but he also helmed the director’s chair. Just yesterday, the final Creed III trailer was shared ahead of the film’s March 3 release, and Rolling Stone returned with a new interview with the filmmaker. Jordan told the outlet that the movie was “deeply personal.”
This was “a way for me to share a piece of myself with the world.” Jordan added, “I’m always willing to prove myself. When you come from where I come from, and everybody doesn’t get those opportunities and breaks — that luck, or whatever — you start to question why you’re getting the things that you get. Why am I successful in life? Or why did I go this way, and everybody went that way? That builds up on you after a while.”
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Elsewhere, the actor speaks on his fears, admitting that “being forgotten” is “a big one.” He shared a story of a childhood best friend who passed away years ago. It was the friend’s birthday, and Jordan realized he had forgotten about it. “I didn’t call his family on that day, I didn’t take time during that whole day to remember that it was my best friend’s f*cking birthday. His birthday. To pass away, bro. And I felt like the biggest piece of sh*t ever. And I felt … f*ck. If I … like, if somebody I hold so dearly, I can forget when their birthday was … what the f*ck they gonna do about me?”
Jordan is failing to recognize the impact of his roles, at least in this instance. When questioned about his favorite role, Jordan shared a story about Fruitvale Station being shown at Cannes in France. He portrayed the real-life Oscar Grant III, a young man from the Bay Area who was killed by police. The controversy sparked a movement, and the Cannes audience’s reaction took Jordan by surprise. There were concerns that audiences in France wouldn’t connect with the film. Jordan teared up retelling his experience after the movie screening, and the crowd gave a 10-minute standing ovation.
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“Motherf*ckers standing up for 10 minutes,” said the actor. “I didn’t know what the fuck was going on. I was like, ‘Oh, sh*t. This is uncomfortable. Y’all could stop.’ Walking out into the hallway, they still clappin’, bro. I get chills thinking about it, it’s crazy.”
“Literally, from the time [the movie] ended, the applause didn’t stop until I got on the f*cking … back on the red carpet outside. Getting into the car, it was starting to rain. And people are still on the windows. As I’m calling Oscar’s mom on the phone, telling Wanda we just f*cking …” Jordan took a pause as he began to tear up. “Like, it’s something like …” He is without words for a moment. “I never thought a n*gga from North Jersey’d be able to have that impact.”
[via]