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Michael B. Jordan gave himself a rule early in his career that could possibly change the lack of melanin in Hollywood.
For Variety‘s “Actors on Actors,” Issa Rae interviewed Michael B. and he revealed that after Fruitvale Station, he told his agent that he didn’t want to audition for roles written for Black people.
“I said, I don’t want it. I want to only go for, like, [roles written for] White males. That’s it,” he said. “Me playing that role is going to make it what it is. I don’t want any pre-bias on the character.”
This definitely could change people’s ideas about what a leading man can look like. It also makes me wonder what movies meant for White men Michael could have been up for.
Thus, I thought I’d put on my casting director hat and place Michael in some of the biggest flicks since Fruitvale. From action blockbusters to intimate dramas, swipe through to find out which roles Michael B. could have shined in!
Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible
I mean, really…how much longer do we want to see Tom Cruise do wild stuff off buildings. Share some of the insane with Michael B.!
Sebastian Wilder in La La Land
Since Black people spearheaded jazz in the first place, we need you to give up that spot Ryan Gosling. We’ll ask questions about whether Michael B. can sing and dance later.
Any lead character in the Jurassic World series.
Ripped Michael B. Jordan in a hot forest fending off dinosaurs? Who hasn’t thought of this?!
Officer Greg Jenko in 21 Jump Street
Michael B needs his buddy action comedy stat!
Theodore Twombly in Her
In a movie about a man who falls in love with his Siri-like operating system, Michael can flex his acting muscle in a film about loneliness, love and our obsession with technology.
Magic Mike in Magic Mike
Pretty self-explanatory. Question is…does Michael have the moves???
Mark Watney in The Martian
Considering Matt Damon‘s problematic history of diversity and inclusion, I’ll take any Black actor that can replace him in a movie.
Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey
Regardless of what you think about the movie, Michael B. could definitely be that guy who pushes Ana to her limits.
Any lead character in The Muppets movies.
Gotta do one for the kiddies Mike…and for the kiddies at heart.
