Michael B. Jordan Rumored to Return as Erik Killmonger in Upcoming AVENGERS Films
Michael B. Jordan made a lasting impression in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Erik Killmonger in Black Panther. Jordan's Killmonger was a great, strong, complex, and fierce character.
Though the character met his demise in the first film, he appeared as a Variant in Marvel’s What If...? series and in the Ancestral Plane during Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Now, it’s being reported that Jordan might once again return to the role of Killmonger in one of Marvel’s upcoming Avengers films.
According to a report from The Cosmic Circus, Jordan is being eyed to return, potentially as a Black Panther Variant, in either Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
As you might imagine, this development has sparked excitement among fans, many of whom had hoped for Killmonger’s redemption and a larger role in the franchise after Boseman’s tragic passing.
Before Letitia Wright's Shuri took up the mantle in Wakanda Forever, there was widespread speculation that Marvel Studios might retcon Killmonger’s death and explore a redemption arc.
While that didn’t pan out, Secret Wars offers an opportunity for Marvel to rewrite reality itself, as the storyline centers on Doctor Doom’s creation of Battleworld, where universes collide.
This could pave the way for Killmonger to rule as a villainous Black Panther or even a hero under unique circumstances. It has been reported that Doomsday will feature an “overwhelming number of variants”, so this is very possible.
Jordan previously reflected on his experience reprising the role of Killmonger in Wakanda Forever:
"It's tough, I think, this time around, because we lost our brother Chadwick – rest in peace to Chadwick Boseman – it was so much weight to power through.
“And [director] Ryan Coogler had such a tremendous task in front of him to evolve the script and the story in a way that still kind of honored Chadwick but moved the franchise forward as well."
Jordan also detailed the challenges of keeping his return under wraps:
"For me to be able to come back – and I really had to keep it under wraps, I had to grow my hair out. You know, I got the locks back in and stuff like that.
“And I’m traveling a lot of places, so I’ve got to wear a hat, a hoodie, fly private, which isn’t too bad of a thing. But being able to keep it under wraps was really a tough thing."
Killmonger's What If...? Variant, who wielded the Infinity Stones, remains out there in the multiverse, and his unique perspective as both a tactician and warrior could bring a dynamic new layer to the Avengers team—or their opposition.
His presence in Secret Wars could also lead to significant narrative shifts, setting up a Wakandan future led by a grown-up T’Challa, the young prince introduced in Wakanda Forever.
With Avengers: Doomsday set to release in May 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars following in May 2027, fans are eager to see how these movies will reshape the MCU.