Michael B. Jordan returns as Adonis Creed in Creed III, the much-anticipated new chapter in the $300+ million Rocky spinoff franchise. The first trailer shows Adonis reuniting with a childhood friend who’s just been released from prison. Their troubled history is hinted at in the trailer and during a press conference in support of the trailer’s launch, Jordan described Damian (played by Jonathan Majors) as the film’s antagonist. (He preferred that term to “villain.”)
Michael B. Jordan took on an additional job with the new entry in the franchise, making his feature film directorial debut with Creed III. Jordan believed it was the perfect time to jump behind the camera after building up an impressive resume acting for the past 20 years.
“I finally got to this place in my career where I wanted to tell a story and not just be in front of the camera, not just execute somebody else’s vision,” explained Jordan. “And having a character that I’ve played twice before, it’s been seven, eight years living with this guy. So, to be able to tell a story of where I believe Adonis is at…and also at 35 years old, I had a lot to say as a young man, as a young Black man, just my life experiences and how I could actually share that, share a piece of myself with the world – through these characters and through this story. I just felt like it was the right time.”
Directing Creed III was the most challenging thing Jordan’s ever done. Fortunately, he was surrounded by an incredible cast that included Tessa Thompson (reprising her role as Bianca) and Jonathan Majors.
“I think, first of all, Jonathan Majors is incredible. Very, very blessed and lucky to have him be a part of this story,” said Jordan. “And for me as a director, just to have that running mate and have that scene partner, it made all the difference in the world.
I think he’s extremely talented. The world is finding out daily how incredible this man is in the work that he does. [He’s] finally getting the props that’s due. And Jonathan was incredible, man. He showed up every day ready, ready to go to war, ready to work.
You know, me and him bonded in a way that I never had an opportunity to. And I guess it’s my first time directing that relationship between director and actor. I really understand that now, and it’s a bond that’ll last forever. So just really lucky to have that gentleman by my side while I’m going through this process. It was extremely helpful.”
Jordan continued: “The character Damian you’ll find out more about, but (he’s) definitely a pivotal person and a pillar in Adonis’s life that kind of comes back around and needs to kind of get addressed. So, there’s that.
And then there’s the incredible Tessa Thompson that I’ve been so lucky to work with over the years. She’s a rock, you know? Trust is a huge thing and having earned each other’s trust being in scenes together, and now having her trust me with a story was the biggest compliment that she’s given me thus far.”
Jordan was careful not to reveal any spoilers while describing the key themes of Creed III.
“I think thematically for us family is always the core, you know? Family and heart,” offered Jordan. “You have to face your past and find out who you really are. I think it is something that we address in this movie.
You know, it’s sort of a homecoming as well. You know what I mean? Remembering where you come from I think is really important in this one as well. And sometimes settling debts… I think settling debts and being accountable for your actions is something that we wanted to look at as well.
This movie has a lot of me in it and hopefully a lot of other people as well. I wanted to create a story where everybody felt like they could relate to something in this movie.”
MGM’s Creed III will be released in theaters on March 3, 2023.
The Plot:
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose.
