There has been a heated debate over whether Hollywood still has movie stars, but some individuals can still draw audiences to theaters based solely on their presence. Leading the pack is Michael B. Jordan, who has accumulated an impressive number of roles over the years. Notable performances include his portrayal of Adonis Creed in the Creed franchise, as well as one of Marvel’s most complex antagonists, Erik Killmonger, in Black Panther, and the dual roles of Stack and Smoke in Sinners. It is this last role that earned Jordan an Oscar, but it is not the first time he showcased the intensity required for an action role.
The honor of his first major action role goes to Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse. Based on the novel of the same name, Without Remorse stars Jordan as John Kelly, a former Navy SEAL who is attacked in the middle of the night by a group of Russian soldiers who murder his wife. Kelly embarks on a quest to avenge his wife, uncovering a tangled web of secrets along the way. Jordan is not the only big name associated with Without Remorse, as its screenplay was co-written by none other than Taylor Sheridan. Although Sheridan made significant changes to the story, he crafted a gripping action-thriller that allowed Jordan to demonstrate his range.
‘Without Remorse’ Showcases A Different Side To Michael B. Jordan
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Before Without Remorse, Michael B. Jordan was primarily known for his magnetic presence, whether it was his breakout role in Chronicle or larger films like Creed and Black Panther. Without Remorse demonstrates that he can deliver intense performances, which effectively conveys Kelly’s desire for vengeance. This is particularly evident in a scene where Kelly confronts a corrupt Russian diplomat, igniting the diplomat’s car and locking himself inside until he obtains the names of the assassins who targeted him. Although this may seem like a departure from his earlier work, Jordan revealed in an interview that he strives to infuse a piece of himself into every character he portrays.
“You take these roles that aren’t written specifically for [you] because they have a platform, and you inject yourself and your experience into the character. That’s the Trojan horse.”
Kelly’s intense commitment to his mission mirrors the same fervor that Jordan exhibited in Sinners a few years later. This is also indicative of Taylor Sheridan’s projects, where most characters tend to share this trait. One could argue that Sheridan built his television empire on the premise of men willing to go to great lengths to protect what is theirs. For instance, Yellowstone features John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his family fighting to maintain their ranch, while both Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown focus on men in power willing to lie and kill to retain that power. Given that Tom Clancy often writes about similar characters in his novels, it is unsurprising that Sheridan was drawn to Without Remorse.
A Sequel To ‘Without Remorse’ Is In The Works
Despite receiving a less-than-stellar critical rating of 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, Without Remorse is set to have its own sequel. The groundwork for this sequel is laid in the movie’s closing moments, where John Kelly — now identifying himself as “John Clark” — indicates that he is gathering operatives for a project called “Rainbow.” Fans of Tom Clancy’s work recognize that Clark refers to Rainbow Six, a counter-terrorism unit made up of soldiers from around the world. The upcoming movie adaptation of Rainbow Six has assembled its own all-star team, including director Chad Stalheski (John Wick, Highlander). While updates on Rainbow Six have been slow, it seems unlikely that Taylor Sheridan will be involved as he is transitioning from Paramount to Universal, co-writing another military thriller with Call of Duty. If you are eagerly awaiting the return of Reacher , consider watching Without Remorse.
