Michael B. Jordan Says Killmonger Could Have Beaten Thanos

At the end of Infinty War, Thanos sat overlooking a countryside and smiled knowing he had accomplished what he set out to do. I imagine there was a bit of satisfaction  knowing he triumphed over the Avengers and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to do it.

If you ask Michael B. Jordan if Erik Killmonger would have made a difference, he in true Killmonger fashion, said yes. 

“I think the one thing about Killmonger is he really plans his attacks, and they’re well thought out. So if he ever stepped in a situation with Thanos, he would feel confident that he had the upper hand—at the very least, he would know he had a shot,So I mean, we already know that Erik’s willing to sacrifice himself for a greater good, so I don’t think he’s ever fearful of losing his life. So I think if he ever stepped in front of Thanos, he’d already have a plan for taking him down.”

Jordan addressed this question during his annual MBJAM fundraising event to benefit Lupus LA.

While I admire confidence and Killmonger’s skills, which he has many, I have a hard time seeing him triumphing over the “Mad Titan.” Being willing to sacrifice oneself wouldn’t accomplish the task. It has been proven that many of the Avengers would be and have been willing to do that. It didn’t make a difference. Having a plan would be good. Peter Quill had a plan…of course he blew it to hell when he couldn’t control himself for another minute before Spider-Man and Ironman could get the gauntlet off. I’m still holding a grudge there, Peter.

There is one trait that Killmonger has that is different than the other heroes. Ruthlessness. The ability to kill without hesitation, without handwringing and without remorse is generally no longer in the Avengers DNA. Natasha used to be ruthless. Her previous life demanded it. However, her time with Shield and especially with the Avengers has muted that instinct. Look no further than Infinity War and her confrontation (along with Captain America, The Falcon, Vision and the Scarlet Witch) with Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive where she tells Proxima, “We don’t want to kill you, but we will if we have to.” Her time with the super boy scout Steve Rogers probably has something to do with that. Then again, I’m pretty sure there is some kind of pledge that heroes have to take that requires you to smile at children, help old ladies across the street, and not kill anyone unless absolutely necessary (Cap probably added that).

For full disclosure, it is true that Thor tried to kill Thanos. But perhaps if he was as ruthless as perhaps a “Killmonger,” he would have drove his axe into Thanos skull instead of his chest. Killmonger would have no such compunction. He would have done the deed and moved on to the next. Would that have made a difference? I really doubt it but it is a skill set that would set him apart.

So in reality, would Erik Killmonger had found a way to defeat Thanos? The evidence would say no but it might have been interesting to see.