Michael B. Jordan Reveals What Makes Working With Denzel Washington Different

Michael B. Jordan discusses what's unique about working with Denzel Washington.

By Douglas Helm | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

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When you think of the term “movie star” there are a few faces that you think of right away and Denzel Washington’s is probably one of them. Washington has consistently provided us with hours of entertainment and powerhouse performances throughout his long-tenured career as a leading man. When Denzel isn’t dazzling audiences with his on-screen performances, he sometimes takes a step back and works behind the camera as a director. In his latest directorial effort A Journal for Jordan, Washington worked with younger superstar Michael B. Jordan. Jordan had nothing but glowing praise for his director.

In a recent interview with Cinemablend, Michael B. Jordan discussed how Denzel is a different kind of director. Jordan talked about Washington as a director who intimately understands the needs of an actor due to his extensive experience acting himself. In the interview, Jordan talks about how actors are in their own club and directors have their own club, but Washington is able to understand both roles.

This makes perfect sense, as it’s rare to have actors and directors who are acclaimed in both arenas. Denzel Washington has been nominated for the Academy Awards eight times as an actor, two of which he won for his roles in Training Day and Glory. Indicative of Michael B. Jordan’s words on Washington’s strengths behind the camera is his Oscar nomination for the 2016 film Fences which he directed. Washington is in rare company when it comes to people who can flip between acting and directing and excel in each. Other names that come to mind include Clint Eastwood, Woody Allen, and Orson Welles. It’s rarified air for sure.

Now with Denzel’s advice and tutelage, perhaps Michael B Jordan could start breathing some of that rarefied air himself. He’s already established himself as a great actor in films like Creed, Fruitvale Station, and Black Panther. Now we’ll get to see his skill behind the camera as he directs himself in Creed III. If Denzel Washington is the one giving him directing advice, so we have no doubt that it’s going to be an exciting debut.

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In the meantime, you can see the collaborative fruits of Michael B. Jordan and Denzel Washington’s labor in A Journal for Jordan. The movie is in theatres this weekend and is based on a memoir by Dana Canedy. The movie tells the story of Canedy’s husband, First Sgt. Charles Monroe King who keeps a journal for his son Jordan while he’s fighting in the Iraq War. The movie also tells the love story of Canedy and King, as they start a family under these tumultuous circumstances.

You can see Michael B. Jordan make his directorial debut and reprise his role as Adonis Creed in Creed III, which is set to release in 2022. Michael B. Jordan will also be contributing to the world of superhero entertainment with his upcoming limited HBO Max series that will feature a black Superman named Val-Zod. He will possibly be starring in it as well. You can see him much sooner this weekend in A Journal for Jordan. Check out the trailer here.