It’s no secret that Michael B. Jordan is one to watch. He’s nabbing major roles left and right, exudes charm and he’s pretty easy on the eyes. In addition, he’s gearing up for two epic big screen roles: the highly anticipated superhero flick Fantastic Four, sure to steal the box office this weekend (watch out Tom Cruise); and a Rocky spin-off, Creed, out in theaters on November 25.
But that’s not it. The 28-year-old is teaming up with Short Term 12 director Destin Cretton for Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, a film based on the award-winning bestseller about Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson.
With a new movie hitting theaters this weekend and a few in his pocket, the Awkward Moment heartthrob has been surfing the promo trail, where he’s chopped it up with several media outlets including rolling out and most recently DUJOUR magazine where he opened up about the role that changed his life, love and family. Jordan began by recalling his experience with Bill Cosby at the tender age of 12, which he says affects how he approaches roles today.
“He commanded that set; that was his show. He demanded a professionalism from everyone,” he said of Cosby. Jordan also recalls how Cosby helped him learn to embody his character. “He gave me a tick,” Jordan said. “[He said], ‘You care about your hair. You love your hair. You brush your hair nonstop all day. That’s what you do.’ And I was like ‘alright, got it.’ So I brushed my hair. And you’re shooting this thing for hours. Imagine brushing your hair until your scalp is raw.” But it taught him about dedication, and about how far he’d go to deliver a memorable performance, no matter how small the part.
He went on to talk about how fans perceive him in real life based on the roles he plays.
“It’s so weird, people think they know me based on my character, and I’ve played some pretty good guys,” he said. “I think I’m a good guy, but I have my moments—I’m not a saint at all.”
Despite his slight nod to bad boys, when it comes to love, Jordan states that he’s very traditional and wants what mommy and daddy have… a long-lasting relationship. After all, they’ve been married for thirty years.
“My family environment growing up is very much what I want eventually,” he said. “It gives me hope and a longing for something more than the surface kind of relationships that you have so much. I always use them as a gauge. They were 28 or 29 when they got married. So I have a year… But unless something dramatic goes down, I don’t see that happening.”
