Released on December 25 for an Oscar-qualifying limited release before going wide January 10, 2020 is the inspiring drama “Just Mercy,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and based on the award-winning nonfiction bestseller by Bryan Stevenson.
The film stars Michael B. Jordan, and Oscar winners Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson withO’Shea Jackson Jr., Tim Blake Nelson, Rob Morgan, Rafe Spall and Karan Kendrick.
A powerful and thought-provoking true story, “Just Mercy” follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson (Jordan) and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan might have had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Larson). One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Foxx), who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie.
In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings and overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds—and the system—stacked against them.
For Michael B. Jordan, the film is special to him not only because he believes in telling this story to the masses but it’s the first of many projects through his Outlier Society Productions, which will also adopt inclusion riders.
Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Jordan on his role, working with Bryan Stevenson and the cast, his upcoming projects and whether or not the world is ready for a black superman.
Why did you decide you want to make this project?
Michael B. Jordan: About four or five years ago after I got a chance to look into the book and also get to know Brian a little bit and understand more of his work. Embarrassingly, I didn’t, I didn’t I didn’t know a lot of his work. I didn’t know who he really who he was and I was shocked. Once I got a chance to really know the work that he was doing and what he stood for, I got a grasp of who he was and what he what he was about., it was a no brainer. It was something I knew I was doing.
In playing him, how well did you work with him and trying to get embody what he was back then to portray him on screen?
Michael B. Jordan: As much as possible. You know, he’s a very busy guy. He’s in the Supreme Court more times than I am in front of a camera. He’s constantly fighting these cases life or death, matters every day. So as much as I could, he was always available for you know, phone call or a text message, and he popped in and out of set. I got a chance to meet him before we started, while we were developing the script. He worked very closely with Destin than the other writer to make sure that the script was up to his liking and up to par. At the end of the day it’s is his story. We wanted to make sure we did him justice, and we were accurate.
As producer, what was your main responsibility?
Michael B. Jordan: There’s various producer roles. You can you can put in money and be a producer. You can be a non creative producer, you can be a creative producer, or you can be a vanity producer. I like to think of myself as being a creative producer, an all hands on deck type of guy. With my production company and Alana Mayo, who was amazing on this, we worked alongside Gil Netter, Asher Goldstein, Destin and and we helped put this thing together. For me, I helped bring in the cast in, worked on the script, developed the story, brought the inclusion writer into this movie, which Francis McDormand brought up during that famous Oscar speech about inclusion.
I adopted that to my production company, which we brought to Warner Bros. and this is the first movie with under that inclusion banner. That basically means that people from underrepresented groups, minorities, black and brown people, people in the LGBT community, and disabled people will all have a shot and be heavily considered for Head of Department of major roles behind the behind the camera, as well in front of the camera. So that’s something that I brought to the table as well as a producer. And yes, make sure the story was on point and the production went well, and all hands on deck.
We’ve seen through other projects such as When They See Us, Brian Banks, this movie and Clemency coming out stories about the injustices of people of color, and what’s being shown up throughout all this is how the humanities is being played out on both sides. Do think that it’s a growing trend, or it’s been there but not marketed enough? In terms of what we’re seeing?
Michael B. Jordan: I think both in some places, it’s been there, but obviously not marketed enough. I also think you are starting to see more places and outlets serve a need and demand. I think it’s more of a demand but being more outspoken about the stories that we want to see, the stories we want to hear. I think the industry is responding to that.
In playing Brian, you’re practically in every scene with all the cast. Can you talk about working with the cast?
Michael B. Jordan: It was awesome. I love working with those guys. I’ve known Jamie for a really long time. So we finally got a chance to work together, which was incredible. I love that guy. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of acting. He’s one of the GOATS. To have him we were extremely blessed. With Brie I’ve known her since Fruitvale Station, and her run for Short Term 12. I always want to be able to work with her. She took time out of her busy schedule to come in and help us, and play the role of Eva and she did an amazing job. Tim Blake Nelson is somebody I worked with on Fantastic Four back in the day so I was very familiar with him. We’ve known each other so to get back in front of the camera was definitely a great time.
Rob Morgan is another extremely talented actor and continues to grow. Every day he is becoming a bigger and bigger star and bigger household name. He’s wildly talented. What he did to that character and brought to Herbert Richardson’s story I thought was flawless. O’Shea Jackson is another young talent who’s been growing consistently since his breakout role is Straight Outta Compton as Ice Cube. He’s been a fantastic addition to the cast. He’s been great. We also have Karen Kendrick, who’s an amazing breakout star as well. She plays Walter McMillian’s wife, and she did an amazing job in the movie. Our cast is really eclectic and diverse and equally strong. It was awesome to see them working and to work with them.
You’ve worked with different directors but in working with Destin what did you pick up from him that you can probably take on to your next project?
Michael B. Jordan: Destin cares a lot. He is very thorough. He’s really down to collaborate. He has a lot of similar qualities to most of the directors that I’ve had really good relationships with. He’s earnest. He pays attention to detail. He allows us to try things and find the space to work things out in the moment. He’s an excellent director.
What goes into saying yes to the projects you take?
Michael B. Jordan: A lot. Time. Schedule is really, really important. I think what the movie says is extremely important. Is it something I’m developing from scratch? Is is something that’s already been pre packaged? Does it have other ties to it already? How much of a workload is it? How many days? Where’s it being shot? So that’s it’s a lot of different variables that goes into projects that I produce and star but as far as producing I think it’s telling unique perspectives. I want me production company slate to be as diverse and eclectic as my taste. I like a lot of different things.
You’ve got a lot on your plate. Have we seen the end of Creed?
Michael B. Jordan: No. I don’t want to over saturate it. You can’t do the same role every year and a half. People can get tired of this. You want people to want the movie. You want to take time. Let the character breathe. Let the sauce marinate and has to sit on low on the stove for a while. You have to let things evolve and grow.
Without Remorse is a new franchise. Hopefully we’ll see more of that.
Michael B. Jordan: That’s another thing. You have to work on one movie at a time. You can want franchises and want multiple films, but I’ve learned that doing it the right way and really taking the time and intention to really focus on that one movie and getting that one movie done right, you leave yourself the possibilities coming back for another one. Our take on John Kelly and Without Remorse and Tom Clancy novel, I think we got it right. Hopefully, if it resonates and it lands with people in the way I think it will, we’ll be able to see the evolution to a Rainbow Six.
Is the world ready for a black Superman?
Michael B. Jordan: We got so many black superheroes out there. For me, it’s like, I’m a fan of comic books. I grew up watching anime and DC and Marvel and so I understand people’s reservation for change of certain things. I understand the difference. Why do these changes all this diversity stuff, you just want to make them Black. It doesn’t make sense. Clark Kent, he’s from this is and from that, and all the history. I get it. I totally understand. Just know that if I ever step into any situation like that, it would be with great care and caution. I think the world is ready for a lot of changes. I’m not saying that that’s me. I’m not saying this is one of those changes I’m doing. I’m not saying that at all.
I’ve been rumored to play Morpheus, Superman, Cyborg, The Green Lantern, Power Rangers, DuckTales, the Mickey Mouse reboot and whatever else is going on out there so I can’t be everything.
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