Michael B. Jordan is currently everywhere. Well, basically. If you feel like he hasn't been on a theater screen in a minute, you’re right, but that’s because he spent the last year behind a camera or deep in the Mississippi mud for Ryan Coogler. Honestly, the man doesn't sleep. Between directing massive sequels and trying to revive the "sleek heist movie" genre, his 2026 and 2027 slate is looking fairly crowded.
People keep asking about the "vampire movie" or when he’s getting back in the ring. Some of those answers are already here, and some are... complicated.
The Aftermath of Sinners and the 2026 Awards Push
You might have missed Sinners when it hit theaters in April 2025. If so, you're sleeping on what most critics are calling the most unhinged thing Jordan and Ryan Coogler have ever done. It’s a Southern Gothic horror-musical. Yeah, you read that right. Jordan plays twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, bootleggers in 1930s Mississippi fighting off literal vampires.
As of January 2026, the movie has found a massive second life on HBO Max. It’s currently sitting in the Top 10 globally. Why? Because the Oscar nominations are coming out on January 22, and the buzz is that Jordan might finally snag a Best Actor nod for playing two different people in the same scene.
It's pretty wild.
He didn't just play twins; he gave them different "physical languages." Coogler recently mentioned in an interview that they didn't even need CGI for some of the movement differences—Jordan just changed how he stood. If you haven't seen it, find a screen. It’s the fifth time he’s worked with Coogler, and their "director-actor" shorthand is basically the best in Hollywood right now.
What’s Real with I Am Legend 2?
This is the one everyone wants to know about. Is it a prequel? Is Will Smith a ghost?
No.
Basically, they are ignoring the theatrical ending of the first movie where Will Smith’s character, Robert Neville, blows himself up. They’re using the "alternate" DVD ending where he lives. Will Smith recently let it slip on a podcast that new Michael B. Jordan movies like this one are finally moving into the meat of production.
Here is the deal:
- Jordan isn't playing Smith’s son. That was a huge rumor, but it's dead.
- He’s playing the leader of a survivor settlement in Connecticut.
- Steven Caple Jr. (who directed Creed II) is likely the guy in the director's chair.
It’s a "decades later" story. Think The Last of Us vibes but with the I Am Legend "Darkseekers." Jordan’s character is supposed to be a foil to Neville. While Neville was a lonely scientist talking to mannequins, Jordan’s character is a pragmatist running a functional, albeit stressed, community. Expect a lot of tension between the two when they finally meet on screen.
The Thomas Crown Affair: A Passion Project
Jordan just wrapped filming on this in Italy and London this past November. He’s been trying to make this movie for thirteen years. Seriously. He pitched it to MGM back in 2016.
This is the third version of the story. You probably remember the 1999 one with Pierce Brosnan or the 1968 one with Steve McQueen. Jordan is directing this one himself, making it his second time behind the lens after Creed III.
It hasn't been a smooth ride. Taylor Russell (Bones and All) was originally the female lead, but she left the project mid-shoot due to "creative differences." There was a lot of tabloid gossip about it, but Adria Arjona stepped in to replace her. The cast is actually stacked: Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, and Kenneth Branagh are all in it.
Amazon MGM has it scheduled for March 5, 2027. It’s going to be an IMAX release, so he’s clearly going for scale over just a small-budget crime flick.
Rainbow Six and the Tom Clancy Wait
If you’re a gamer, you’re probably frustrated. Without Remorse came out in 2021, and we’re still waiting for the sequel, Rainbow Six.
Chad Stahelski, the guy who did John Wick, is still attached to direct. He gave an update recently saying they’re "taking their time." That’s usually code for "the script isn't quite there," but Stahelski is a perfectionist. He wants to make sure the tactical side of the movie matches the vibe of the games.
Jordan is still set to play John Clark. The big question is whether they’ll bring in "Ding" Chavez. There’s been talk about Michael Peña playing the role (since he played him in the Jack Ryan TV show), but nothing is signed. Honestly, don't expect this one until late 2027 at the earliest.
Is Creed 4 Still Happening?
Yes, but don't hold your breath for a 2026 release.
Jordan has confirmed he’s directing Creed 4, but he’s gone on record saying he wants the franchise to "breathe." He doesn't want to just churn them out. Creed III was a massive hit, and they’ve already made over $660 million across the trilogy.
The big drama? Sylvester Stallone. He wasn't in the third one because of a rift with producer Irwin Winkler. Jordan has said he’d love to have Rocky back, but Stallone seems pretty set on staying away unless things change "behind the scenes." For now, the story is focusing on Adonis and his daughter, Amara.
Current Project Status Table (Quick Glance)
| Movie | Status | Expected Release |
|---|---|---|
| Sinners | Streaming / Awards Circuit | Out Now (April 2025) |
| The Thomas Crown Affair | Post-Production | March 5, 2027 |
| I Am Legend 2 | In Development | 2026 / 2027 |
| Creed 4 | Pre-Production | 2027+ |
| Rainbow Six | Development | TBA |
Why These Roles Matter
Jordan is at a turning point. He’s moving away from just being the "action guy" and becoming a "mogul." His company, Outlier Society, is producing almost everything he’s in. He’s picking projects that let him direct, which is a big deal for a Black actor-director in Hollywood right now.
He's also leaning into "dualism." Between playing twins in Sinners and taking over legacy roles like Thomas Crown, he’s trying to prove he has the range of the old-school movie stars.
What you should do next:
- Watch Sinners on HBO Max: If you want to see why everyone is talking about his 2026 Oscar chances, this is the homework. It’s gory, weird, and surprisingly emotional.
- Keep an eye on CinemaCon: Most of the first trailers for the 2027 slate (like Thomas Crown) will drop there in April.
- Don't trust the I Am Legend 2 leaks: Until you see a trailer with Will Smith and Jordan in the same frame, treat most "plot leaks" on social media as fan fiction. The production is notoriously secretive.
Jordan’s 2026 is going to be defined by the awards he wins (or doesn't), while his 2027 will be defined by whether he can actually carry a solo heist franchise. Either way, he’s not going anywhere.