Michael B. Jordan To Produce WWII Drama The Liberators

Michael B. Jordan has joined World War II drama, The Liberators, in a producing role. Currently enjoying a wave of adulation following his turn as Killmonger in Marvel’s Black Panther, Jordan’s acting career has seen him take on acclaimed roles in movies such as Creed, Chronicle and Fruitvale Station, frequently teaming with director Ryan Coogler. Jordan also portrayed the Human Torch in the most recent Fantastic 4 attempt and with that movie receiving an utter battering from fans and critics, Black Panther represents somewhat of a superhero redemption for the actor.

Not content with just being a success in front of the camera, Michael B. Jordan has recently turned his hand to producing and is acting as executive producer on the forthcoming dystopian television movie, Fahrenheit 451, which he’ll also star in. Additionally, Jordan will feature in and executive produce the science fiction series Raising Dion due for release next year on Netflix. Jordan launched his own production company, Outlier Society Productions in 2016.

As reported by Variety, Michael B. Jordan and Outlier Society Productions’ newest project is wartime drama, The Liberators. Based on a script from Madison Turner, The Liberators is set in the second world war and focuses on the African-American 761st Tank Battalion, whose success and bravery ultimately contributed to the end of racial segregation in the U.S. armed forces. Safehouse Pictures will also be producing but there is no word yet on whether Jordan will also appear on screen in The Liberators, as with his other producing credits.

With both the themes of World War II and the progression of human rights at play in the narrative, The Liberators could be looking at future Oscar contention, although it’s too early to tell yet whether the movie will lean more heavily into the human side of the story or go for a more war-centric Saving Private Ryan approach. In either case, the project promises to shine a light on a group of people who are arguably not as widely known as they deserve to be considering their achievements.

The Liberators perhaps steps into more serious dramatic territory than Jordan has been used to of late but having appeared in Fruitvale Station – a story about the wrongful shooting of Oscar Grant by police in 2009 – he is certainly no stranger to handling potentially sensitive subject matter. Although Michael B. Jordan may only be beginning his career as a producer, The Liberators is a weighty project and one that, if done right, could cement his position as a behind-the-scenes creative.

The Liberators is currently without a release date. More news as it arrives.