Photo: JC Olivera/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
TheRockyfranchise is getting a ninth movie asCreed IIIis headed to theaters next month.
Though this will be the first film in franchise history that won’t feature original starSylvester Stallone, trailers for the movie show it will still be filled with the grit, romance and compelling fight scenes fans have come to love.
And fans of theCreedseries will see plenty of familiar faces from the first two films, includingMichael B. Jordan, who not only is reprising his role as Adonis Creed, butwill be making his directorial debut with this film.
From new and returning faces to the release date, here’s everything you need to know aboutCreed III.
What isCreed IIIabout?
JC Olivera/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
While the first movie was about learning where he came from and the second was about reconciling with the past,Creed IIIis about dealing with the pieces of your past that follow you no matter how far you get in life.
The two boxers' paths cross when Damian transitions from being a trainee waiting for an opportunity to an antagonist who wants everything that Adonis has. Drama ensues and the two (literally) come to blows.
Who is inCreed III?
Paras Griffin/Getty
In addition to Jordan and Majors,Phylicia Rashadreturns as Adonis' mother,Tessa Thompsonreprises her role as his wife and Wood Harris will play his trainer again.
One noticeable face that’ll be missing in action is Stallone, whobowed out of the third filmvery early on.
“That’s a regretful situation because I know what it could have been,” Stallone toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it.”
He further alluded to creative differences behind the scenes, telling the outlet, “I’m much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting beat up, but I just don’t want them going into that dark space.”
Who directedCreed III?
Eli Ade/MGM
PEOPLE’s 2020 Sexiest Man Aliveis making his directorial debut withCreed III.The actor, who’s been with the character for nearly a decade believes he’s in the best position to finally take the helm on this one.
“I finally got to this place in my career where I really wanted to tell a story, you know, and not just be in front of the camera, not just execute somebody else’s vision,” he said during avirtual Q&A last October. “And having a character that I’ve played twice before, you know it’s been 7, 8 years living with this guy, so to be able to tell a story of where I believe Adonis is at.”
Maturing also played a factor in his decision. He told reporters, “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.”
Ryan Coogler, who created the spinoff franchise, wrote the script along with his brother, Keenan. Ryan and Jordan also serve as producers on the project.
Is there a trailer forCreed III?
Yes, thefirst trailer for the filmwas released in October and another dropped during the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
When willCreed IIIcome out?
Creed IIIhits theaters March 3.
Will there be other movies afterCreed III?
The prospect of a fourth installment ofCreedis currently unknown.
However, in July 2022,reports came outthat a separate spinoff following another character from theRockymovies was in the works.
Lundgren himself alluded to the possibility of a spinoff during an interview withThe Hollywood Reporterin 2021.
“By the way, I think there’s some talk about doing a whole spinoff on Drago with MGM. So you may get more of that,” he said.
Lundgren was quick to support his longtime friend,writing on Instagram, “Just to set the record straight regarding a possible Drago spinoff. There’s no approved script, no deals in place, no director and I was personally under the impression that my friend Sly Stallone was involved as a producer or even as an actor.”
He went on to assure fans that all was well between him and Stallone: “There was a press leak last week which was unfortunate. In touch with Mr Balboa - just so all the fans can relax… There ya go.”
source: people.com
