The highly anticipated next installment of theCreedfranchise is only a few months away, and fans of Adonis Creed can watch him square up with longtime friend Damian inCreed III. MGM recently revealed a featurette for the film, with starMichael B. Jordantalking about what it’s like to step into the shoes of Adonis once more, this time as his directorial debut:
“Adonis Creed. I’ve been living with this character for eight years. We laughed, cheered, cried together. A core pillar of this franchise is figuring out who you really are and what’s worth fighting for. In Creed III, I wanted to know what Adonis’s limits were. So, to be able to finally step behind the camera and continue to elevate and evolve this story - it’s something im eternally grateful for.”
Jordan previously said thatdirecting himself is ‘like having a superpower,‘and took advice from other actors who have done the same. TheCreedfranchise continues in the footsteps of theRockysaga, as Adonis is the son of one of Rocky Balboa’s opponents, Apollo Creed. Sylvester Stallone similarly directed himself inRocky IIand beyond, and appeared in the first two Creed films, but he will not have a part in the upcoming film.
Related:Sylvester Stallone Addresses Why He’s Not Playing Rocky in Creed III
Creed IIIWill Be the First Sports Movie Shot on IMAX
While IMAX filming is typically equated to sci-fi spectacles and is less common with more grounded, realistic genres, Jordan says the experience will allow audiences to properly ‘immerse’ themselves into the story:
“This is the first sports film to be shot on IMAX cameras. With the IMAX experience, you can take in that environment in a way that you normally wouldn’t. We’re able to see every bead of sweat, every impact, the ripples in the skin, the sounds of the footsteps, the punches, the music, the lack of sound, and really immerse yourself into the entire world.”
It’s an interesting choice, and a bold one, considering that IMAX filming comes with its own challenges. Director Michael B. Jordan will have the help of seasoned cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau, who has experience with previous IMAX films such asThor: The Dark World. Morgenthau also served as cinematographer forCreed II.
Jordan also spoke about his goals for the film. To him, it’s not just about entertainment, but it’s also about inspiring audiences:
“Everybody has a past, everybody has things they wish they could have done differently. So, to be able to see a character like Adonis go through some of those things - I hope audiences walk away feeling inspired and have the courage to do something you normally wouldn’t do. I want them to walk away from this movie feeling better than they did when they walked in. I think that’s something that’s powerful about cinema.”
You can watch the full featurette below:
Creed IIIwill release in theaters on March 23rd, 2023. Directed by Michael B. Jordan, the story is written by Ryan Coogler, Keenan Coogler, and Zach Baylin. Co-stars include Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, and Wood Harris.
