Michael B. Jordan jokes about quitting acting to make anime

Michael B. Jordan reveals anime projects in development and jokes about making anime full time

Michael B. Jordan has revealed that he has several anime projects in the early stages of development, while joking that he could eventually leave acting to focus on the medium full time.

In a Vogue October cover story, Jordan discussed his long-standing interest in anime and his plans to explore the medium through new projects.

“I might just quit it all and make anime the rest of my life,” Jordan said.

Anime has been a long-standing interest for the actor, who grew up watching Dragon Ball Z. Jordan would reportedly sometimes sneak into the basement of his church to watch episodes.

His interest has also influenced his work outside acting. In 2019, Jordan collaborated with Coach on a Naruto-inspired fashion collection featuring clothing, footwear and bags incorporating imagery and symbols from the anime series.

Jordan later brought anime influences into his 2023 directorial debut, Creed III. The film's climactic fight incorporated elements inspired by anime, while Jordan also worked with Japanese animation studio TMS Entertainment on an anime short that screened after Creed III in Japanese cinemas.

Earlier this year, Jordan continued his work in animation by voicing Ollie in Netflix's Swapped.

Despite his comments about potentially leaving acting, Jordan has several film and television projects in development.

He is directing, producing and starring in a new adaptation of The Thomas Crown Affair alongside Adria Arjona and Kenneth Branagh, with the film scheduled for next spring.

Jordan is also set to begin filming a Miami Vice reboot with Austin Butler this autumn and is producing Delphi, a Creed spin-off series centred on a boxing gym.

Jordan's anime projects follow his Best Actor Oscar win for Sinners, in which he played twins Smoke and Stack. The Ryan Coogler-directed film received 16 Academy Award nominations and won four awards.