Michael Jordan sparked a firestorm on Wednesday, and it had nothing to do with his role in “Fantastic Four.”
Jordan drew widespread and very vocal criticism across social media for an interview he granted to GQ, in which he said that only wanted to play “white” characters in the future.
“I want to be part of that movement that blurs the line between white and black,” the actor said.
“I told my team after I finished ‘Chronicle’ [the successful low budget sci-fi movie that first partnered him with ‘Fantastic Four’ director Josh Trank] that I only want to go out for roles that were written for white characters,” Jordan told the magazine. “Me playing the role will make it what it is.”
The comments were enough to send Twitter ablaze with wrath for the actor.
Many of his detractors referenced the fact that Jordan rose to fame playing Oscar Grant, a black man who was killed by transit police, in “Fruitvale Station.”
“Ummmmm didn’t Michael B Jordan play Oscar Grant a BLACK MAN arrested & killed because of POLICE BRUTALITY. But he don’t see black & white? K,” one detractor hissed.
“Michael B Jordan is talking about all lives matter after being in Fruitvale Station? How sway?” said another.
“Michael B Jordan knows that if he says ‘Black Lives Matter’ on Monday he’s doing Tyler Perry movies by Friday,” another suggested.
One user offered, “I don’t get how Michael B. Jordan can be on the ‘All Lives Matter’ tip knowing as much as he knows about the life and murder of Oscar Grant.”
“How anyone trusted this dude after ‘Fantastic Four’ is beyond me,” slammed another.
Ouch.
The good news? After filming the upcoming boxing movie “Creed,” Jordan is no doubt used to taking beatings.
Ummmmm didn’t Michael B Jordan play Oscar Grant a BLACK MAN arrested & killed because of POLICE BRUTALITY. But he don’t see black & white? K
I don’t get how Michael B. Jordan can be on the “All Lives Matter” tip knowing as much as he knows about the life and murder of Oscar Grant — the other one (@imfromraleigh) September 23, 2015
The Evolution of Marvel Movies: From Dolph Lundgren's 'Punisher' to 'Ant-Man' (Photos)
"Howard the Duck" (1986) - In this Marvel-meets-George-Lucas sci-fi comedy, a human-size duck is propelled to Earth from outer space as the result of a scientific mishap. Emphasis was placed on special effects and portraying Howard as a less cynical duck than that in the comic.
Universal Pictures
"The Punisher" (1989) - Dolph Lundgren donned a signature skull shirt for a violent adaptation of the story of vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher
New World Pictures
"Fantastic Four" (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman produced this low-budget adaptation so that a producer could retain the film rights to the comic. Though never released theatrically, it is available on YouTube.
New Horizons
"Generation X" (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee.
Fox Network
"Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox.
Fury Productions/Fox Network
"Blade" (1998) - Wesley Snipes headlined as a half-man, half-vampire fighting against an evil bloodsucker intent on taking over the world
Marvel/New Line Cinema
"X-Men" (2000) - Hugh Jackman achieved international fame as Wolverine in the story of the famed Marvel superhero team
Marvel/Twentieth Century Fox
"Hulk" (2003) - Ang Lee's much maligned story of Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) as he struggles to control the raging monster within himself
Marvel/Universal Pictures
"Daredevil" (2003) - Ben Affleck earned plenty of scorn for his portrayal of the blind defender of Hell's Kitchen. Nevertheless, the film earned almost $180 million globally
Marvel/New Regency
"The Punisher" (2004) - Thomas Jane took over as Frank Castle in this ultra-violent vigilante tale that also starred John Travolta
Marvel/Lionsgate
"Elektra" (2005) - Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra Natchios, an international assassin, in the spin-off from the more successful 2003 film, Daredevil.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Man-Thing" (2005) - Marvel tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear.
Lions Gate/Artisan Entertainment
"Ghost Rider" (2007) - Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes starred in the story of a motorcycle daredevil (Cage) who sold his soul to the devil.
Marvel/Columbia Pictures
"Iron Man" (2008) - The movie that launched the MCU into the stratosphere starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturerer who decides to defend the innocent who are caught in the path of the very weapons he once designed
Marvel/Paramount
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) - Edward Norton took over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the setup to the eventual "Avengers" crossover
Marvel/Universal
"Captain America" (2011) - Chris Evans took up the red, white, and blue shield of the First Avenger as he fought against Hydra head Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
Marvel/Paramount
"Thor" (2011) - Chris Hemsworth played the hammer-wielding god of thunder as he battles his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for control of the mythical realm of Asgard
Marvel/Paramount
"The Avengers" (2012) - The superhero team assembled for this blockbuster as they fought to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner from Edward Norton
Marvel/Paramount
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) - Chris Pratt proved himself to be an action superstar as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill in this intergalactic sensation that grossed almost $775 million
Marvel Studios
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) - The Avengers assemble once again as they try to stop Ultron, an A.I. built by Tony Stark that wants to destroy humanity
Marvel Studios
"Ant-Man" (2015) Paul Rudd plays a thief just out of prison who stumbles on a suit that shrinks him to microscopic size -- all the better to prevent Corey Stoll's evil executive from using the same technology for warfare.
Marvel Studios
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Marvel adaptations have gone from cheesy fun films to guaranteed hits and box office gold