Actor Michael B. Jordan has become one of the most popular stars over the last decade. With Director Ryan Coogler at the helm, Jordan has given critically acclaimed performances in Fruitvale Station (2013) and Creed (2015). The actor has become most known for his roles in superhero media, specifically his portrayal of antagonist Erik "Killmonger" Stevens in Coogler's Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
Killmonger's unrelenting pursuit of revenge against T'Challa’s family is matched in energy only by Jordan's delivery of one of the most exciting villains of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, many fans might not realize that five years before Jordan gave life to this thrilling villain for the MCU, he appeared in the DC Universe to portray an iconic cybernetic hero and member of the Justice League.
Michael B. Jordan Voiced Cyborg in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
Jordan provided his voice-acting talents in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, alongside DC veterans like the celebrated Kevin Conroy, to portray one of the most prominent Black characters in the DC Universe: Cyborg. In this animated film, the plot follows the speedster hero Flash and his decision to go back in time and save his mother from being murdered, creating an alternate timeline. Many CW fans of The Flash are likely accustomed to these world-changing antics from Barry Allen.
In this reality, Superman has been held captive by the government since landing on Earth, and Jordan's Cyborg has filled the shoes of the Kryptonian as America's premier hero. Bruce Wayne is dead. Martha and Thomas Wayne are The Joker and Batman, and among other changes, Wonder Woman and Aquaman are engaged in a war that threatens to destroy the planet. Cyborg and other heroes are tasked with ending their rivalry before doomsday arrives. Cyborg's heightened importance to the story provided Jordan the opportunity to strengthen this character, who was absent from larger productions ever since Cartoon Network's animated Teen Titans series ended with a 2006 film. While there might not be a direct causation, Jordan's portrayal of Cyborg preceded the character's revival in numerous DC projects. Some of these projects include Young Justice, Doom Patrol, other DC animated movies, and actor Ray Fisher's live-action performance in Justice League, which had an expanded role for the character in the Snyder Cut.
Cyborg Was a Far Cry From Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger 
While Killmonger and this iteration of Cyborg share Jordan's voice, the two characters are universes apart. In Flashpoint, Thomas Wayne mocks Cyborg as the "Big Metal Boy Scout" for his dedication to following governmental orders and his optimistic view of humanity. When Cyborg assists Flash and Batman in rescuing Superman from life-long captivity, he incorrectly tries to convince himself that it must have been a rogue element of the government. His optimistic nature prevents him from believing that the system he is working for could perpetrate such a crime. He tells the withered Superman that "most humans aren't like that" and "…people are good. In fact, some of them risk their lives for the greater good. They're called heroes." Cyborg clings to this altruistic nature and cooperative mindset on his journey to stop the Atlantian-Amazonian war before it destroys the globe.
Killmonger, on the other hand, is fueled by a dark cynicism and sociopathic disregard for human life. While Cyborg wants to stop a global war, Killmonger wants to spark one by exporting Wakandan technology across the globe to burn it all down and rebuild it in his image. Cyborg does not hesitate to save Yo-Yo, an alternate version of Harley Quinn when Batman throws her off a building. Killmonger does not hesitate to kill his girlfriend and his allies when they outlast their usefulness. Killmonger is more like Flashpoint Paradox's antagonistic Aquaman, who was fueled by revenge and turned that hate into a justification for burning the world around him.
Simply put, Jordan's Cyborg is a naive hero, and his Killmonger is a homicidal maniac with a few good points on global oppression. Their only similarity, beyond their actor, is that both characters criticize those who are willing to turn their backs on the world. Killmonger's solutions just happen to match up more with the antagonists Cyborg was fighting to stop.