Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) became one of the MCU's greatest villains in this year's
Black Panther, partially because of the character's tragic childhood that added depth. However, director Ryan Coogler has revealed in commentary for the
Black Panther Blu-ray that Erik's childhood was even sadder than we realized.
As fans may remember, N'Jobu (Sterling K. Brown) was planning to arm oppressed people around the world with vibranium he stole from Wakanda (and even told Ulysses Klaue how to enter the country). In the flashback scene at the beginning of the film, N'Jobu was formulating a plan with a young Zuri on how to break his love out of prison. This woman, who we never see, is the reason N'Jobu has decided to betray Wakanda and help others.
However, before N'Jobu can enact the plan, T'Chaka, his brother and the King of Wakanda, arrives at his apartment in Oakland, asking about the stolen vibranium and Klaue. When N'Jobu pulls his gun on Zuri, who is revealed to be a spy for T'Chaka, the king kills his brother and leaves his body there, thus putting Erik on the path to becoming Killmonger.
Coogler revealed that Erik's off-screen mother passed away in prison since N'Jobu died before he could break her out:
The idea was when you see those guys talking over the paperwork in the beginning of the film, they're talking about a way to break her out of jail. The idea was they never got her out, and she passed away in prison, so Killmonger didn't come up with a mom either.
This revelation further cements the importance of this flashback sequence in the film, which Coogler describes as the most important moment in
Black Panther. It comes as no surprise that coming across his father's body and losing his mother in prison would have led Erik to become Killmonger and both seek revenge and try to fulfill his father's aspirations.
What do you think of what Coogler shared regarding the fate of Erik's mother in the beginning of
Black Panther? Be sure to share your thoughts in the usual spot below!