Despite being the third instalment of a spin-off trilogy, Creed 3 represented new territory for Michael B. Jordan. Not only did he take on the dual role of leading man and director, it also marked the very first Rocky universe film without the key ingredient of Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. Based on what we’ve seen in the first Creed 3 trailer, Jordan’s titular Adonis “Donnie” Creed also has his work cut out for him.
Initially, speculation led many to believe this threequel would follow in the footsteps of the last flick, revisiting Rocky’s past by pitting Donnie against the son of another former rival in Clubber Lang (Mr T). There was even discussion of casting real-life heavyweight hitter, Deontay Wilder, as said son of Clubber Lang. But this eventually fell through on all fronts.
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Instead, the story follows Donnie at a time in his life when he’s enjoying Canelo Alvarez-level success; the latter of whom actually makes a cameo appearance in this one. Peacetime, however, is swiftly disrupted when his childhood friend Anderson Dame (portrayed by a jacked Jonathan Majors) returns from prison.
Anderson’s gripe with Donnie? While they both grew up with talent in their hand, only one of them enjoyed the privilege of being boxing royalty, and everything that obviously comes with having a surname like Creed, i.e. monied upbringing, fast-tracked career.
The footage previewed today also alludes to the fact that Anderson was imprisoned after taking the fall for a crime Donnie was also involved with/guilty of. Which only adds salt to the wound.
“You think you mad?” Majors’ Anderson Dame tells Jordan’s Donnie in the Creed 3 trailer.
“Try spending half your life in a cell, watching somebody else live your life… I’m coming for everything.”
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Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors are (re)joined by Tessa Thompson as Donnie’s wife Bianca Taylor, Phylicia Rashad as Donnie’s mother Mary Anne Creed, Wood Harris as Tony “Little Duke” Evers, Florian Munteanu as rival Viktor Drago (son of Ivan), plus Tony Bellew as “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.
The screenplay has been accomplished by Zach Baylin alongside franchise director Ryan Coogler and Keenan Coogler.
Creed 3 starring Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, and Jonathan Majors hits cinemas on March 2nd of 2023 – check out the first trailer above.
