Michael B. Jordan on playing a black superhero: 'I'm up for it'

By Sharon Waxman

CANNES, France (TheWrap.com) - Michael B. Jordan, a rising young talent who is winning new fans at the Cannes Film Festival, told TheWrap on Friday that playing a superhero of color is something he's up for.

"If it were to happen, I would definitely embrace it and take it on, for sure," he told TheWrap at a Weinstein Co. gathering where his new film, "Fruitvale Station," was presented.

He was referring to the possibility of being cast as the Human Torch in a Fox reboot of "Fantastic Four," which TheWrap recently reported is under consideration. The role was not written for a black actor and was previously played by Chris Evans.

"I'm up for it," he said, noting that he is good friends with the "Fan Four" director Josh Trank but no deal was set. "It is my responsibility as a young filmmaker, a young actor to bridge a gap between generations," Jordan added. "I feel there's a void - after Will (Smith) and Denzel (Washington) and a few other names, ...there's a big age gap."

The 26-year-old star of "Fruitvale," which has screened in competition, and the sleeper hit "Chronicle," is one of Hollywood's most buzzed-about young talents, and has charmed his way down the promenade since Wednesday.

In "Fruitvale," which won both of Sundance's top awards and opens in July, he plays Oscar Grant, a young striver from Oakland, Calif., caught in a tragic circumstance on New Year's Eve.

Jordan said he was surprised at the warm reception in Cannes. " 'Fruitvale' translates bigger than just a story in a black community. It's about humanity, about trying to be better," he said. "Oscar was just a tool to tell that story. He was a guy, 22, who doesn't know what life is, makes some mistakes. Unfortunately for him he didn't have time to right those things... He represents a guy who was trying. "

Jordan's life is at the other end of that spectrum, as he considers what life might be like as a bona fide movie star.

"I know it's a burden I'm ready to share," he said. "If I can make it easier - not just for people of color - then I think that's my responsibility. You've got to own and accept it. You can't shy away from a moment when it's there."

He added: "The fact that I've been doing this for 13 years, who would I be to back down now and not accept the challenge?"

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/michael-b-jordan-playing-black-superhero-im-003508146.html

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