One to Watch: 5 Performances That Have Made Michael B. Jordan a Star

After breakout roles on groundbreaking television dramas like The Wire, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, Michael B. Jordan seamlessly transitioned to the big screen with roles in films like Chronicle, the critically acclaimed Fruitvale Station and last summer’s Fantastic Four. Now, the actor reteams with his Fruitvale director Ryan Coogler and legendary actor Sylvester Stallone to play Apollo Creed’s son in Creed, out November 25. Let’s take a look at the up and comer’s past work.

Hardball (2001)

Before appearing on The Wire, Jordan made his film debut at the young age of 14 with a performance in the 2001 Keanu Reeves baseball vehicle Hardball. Jordan played a gang member named Jamal, and while the role was small, the actor’s future movie-star qualities shine through.

Chronicle (2012)

After his fan-favorite performance on Friday Night Lights, Jordan was cast in the found-footage superhero film Chronicle, which was directed by Josh Trank. Jordan played Steve, a teenager who gains telekinetic abilities with his two friends.

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

It seems like voicing an animated character and playing a superhero are now rites of passage for movie stars, so Jordan got to kill two birds with one stone when he voiced the role of Cyborg in the 17^th installment of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. In this alternate timeline of the DC Comics universe, Jordan’s Cyborg is the last hero on Earth, a world that has never known Superman, Green Lantern or the Flash.

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Jordan went from up-and-coming actor to critical darling with his portrayal of the late Oscar Grant in this film based on a true story about Grant's experiences on the last day of 2008. The movie, which marked Ryan Coogler’s directorial debut, earned Jordan several awards (including the National Board of Review’s Breakthrough Performance Award) and national recognition.

Fantastic Four (2015)

After his performance in Fruitvale Station, it appeared as if Jordan was up for every coveted part in Hollywood, including a rumored starring role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But instead the actor decided to play his first official on-screen superhero, the iconic comic book character Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), in the recent reboot of Fantastic Four (reteaming with his Chronicle director Josh Trank). The fact that Jordan was considered for such highly anticipated projects as Star Wars and Fantastic Four proves his star power, and he earned major Hollywood cred for portraying a Marvel comic book character on the big screen even if FF wasn't a hit.

Bonus: Call of Duty: Black Ops III Commercial (2015)

If you need any more proof that Michael B. Jordan is now a bona fide movie star, look no further than the latest television commercial for the new video game Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The actor is the latest in a long line of superstars to lend their celebrity to the popular video game’s marketing campaign, including Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel.