Michael B. Jordan Credits Ryan Coogler For Giving Him The 'Self-Confidence' To Direct

within the past few years, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan have traditional themselves as one of Hollywood's formidable duos since the release of Coogler's first feature-length film, Fruitvale Station, in 2013. Since then, they've teamed up for two more critically acclaimed films — Creed and Marvel's Black Panther — and already have one more in the works.


Sure, you can call them the new Marty and Leo, although Coogler and MBJ's bond goes deeper than that. It even inspired Jordan himself to pick up a camera for his directorial debut, an adaptation of David Barclay Moore's The Stars Beneath Our Feet.


"He's the reason why I have the self-confidence to go out there and do it in back of the camera," Jordan told MTV News of Coogler's influence while promoting Black Panther. "To visualize somebody my age taking care of nevertheless several hundreds of millions of dollars this [movie] is, it's inspiring. It lets me know that I can do that as well."


As for their collaborative relationship, Coogler mentioned, "It's hard work making movies, and any time while you find somebody you adore working with, there's a segment of you that wants to keep doing it, especially any time as soon as you find somebody who's really talented."


In Black Panther, Jordan gives a standout efficiency because the film's upset antagonist, Erik Killmonger. Unlike other Marvel villains, Killmonger really is the hero of his own story — and then some might even walk out of the theater believing his extreme actions were justified. That's the mark of a good villain — and also an excellent actor.


"Mike is an incredibly talented experienced actor," Coogler mentioned of his friend and collaborator, adding that he's "got a lot of the intangibles" like charisma, empathy, along with a competitive spirit. "He brings an insane work ethic along with a consistency that's really fantastic to have on a set."


"With Mike," he mentioned, "it can feel like you're watching life unfold."


As soon as asked where this partnership might take them next — perhaps to a galaxy far, far away? — Jordan mentioned he's down for the ride, wherever it leads.


"Anything that [Ryan] puts his mind to, I can't think about it not being astonishing


Additional reporting by Josh Horowitz