Viola Davis, an acclaimed actress celebrated for her diverse roles and EGOT achievements, recently expressed high admiration for Michael B. Jordan following his Best Actor win at the Academy Awards. Speaking to Variety on March 10, Davis highlighted Jordan’s transition into directing and his impact on advancing African American filmmaking. Their discussion underscored the mutual respect between two influential figures in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on Jordan’s accomplishment, Davis shared,
“Me and my husband [actor and producer Julius Tennon] have been laughing for two days.”
She continued,
“Michael B Jordan is an incredible human and an incredible leader. It’s extremely exciting what he’s going to become. Now he’s getting into directing and he is going to bring African American filmmaking into a beautiful place.”
Although the two have not yet acted alongside each other, Davis’ statements reveal her strong support for Jordan’s expanding role behind the camera.
Viola Davis Discusses Her New Fiction Book and Creative Inspiration
Beyond her acting career, Viola Davis has ventured into writing, recently releasing a fiction book titled Judge Stone, co-authored with James Patterson. In an interview with Variety, Davis described writing as a refuge during her challenging childhood and credited her fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Cody, for encouraging her talent.
“When I was 9, I said, ‘I’m going to be a writer,’ and I wanted to be a crime writer. It was a chance to live in another world. And people responded to my writing, especially my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Cody. Whenever someone notices you’re really good at something, it becomes a portal.”
Davis contrasted the process of writing this new novel with authoring her memoir, noting how fiction offered her an imaginative release. She explained,
“That’s just 30% of who I am in that book. There’s a lot of things you don’t remember, a lot of things you can’t fit in, a lot of things that you haven’t processed yet and a lot of things you don’t want to share. But with ‘Judge Stone,’ it’s like running in a field of cherry blossoms and daisies and just letting your imagination rip and roar.”
Upcoming Projects and Future Impact
Viola Davis will soon star in the action-thriller film G20, scheduled for streaming on Prime Video starting April 10, 2026. This upcoming role continues her trajectory as a powerful presence in cinema and storytelling. Her endorsement of Michael B. Jordan as both a leading actor and emerging director highlights a hopeful shift towards broader representation in Hollywood. Davis’ recognition of Jordan’s potential suggests his growing influence will shape the future of African American filmmaking significantly, enhancing diversity and creative leadership within the industry.
Viola Davis says Michael B. Jordan "is going to bring African American filmmaking into a beautiful place."https://t.co/HYdtJmL8ek pic.twitter.com/5duXfueyXN
— Variety (@Variety) March 10, 2026
