The cast of Creed III gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel ahead of the movie’s upcoming release for a press conference with reporters and a virtual audience.
Along with starring in Creed, Michael B. Jordan makes his directorial debut. When asked how he prepared to direct Michael said, “Even though there was nothing that anybody could really tell me to prepare me for what the journey was gonna be like. It was one of those things you just have to, you got to live it and get through it. And [laugh] the hardest thing I’ve had to do so far. But at the same time, I felt the most alive doing it, so it was rewarding.” He also mentioned that fellow actors/directors Jon Favreau, Denzel Washington, and Bradley Cooper were great “sounding boards” for him as he began the process.
Another long time “sounding board” for Michael was Ryan Coogler (previous director of Creed films, Fruitvale Station, and Black Panther). While Ryan served as a Producer and Writer for Creed III, Michael credits him with inspiring him to direct. On their relationship Michael said, “Sometimes I’ll hit Ryan in the middle of the night. “Hey, man, you know, what about this? I mean, are you sure? Do I not need it? Do I not need it? Okay, you sure? You sure? Okay.” And getting that reassurance of somebody who’s been through that process before, you know? Writing his baby, you know, making his baby, and then having to, you know, kill his darlings in certain areas is not a easy thing.”
Photo by MGM – © Photo credit: Eli Ade © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved CREED is a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Co-star Jonathan Majors drew on a very personal relationship for his character Dame Anderson. Majors shared how his stepfather Joe was locked up for 15 years before becoming his stepdad. “He tried out for the Dallas Cowboys. I’m from Dallas. And almost made it to the Cowboys. He was in the second round, right? I watched that aspiration. I watched that hustle. You know, I watched that dream that he had. There’s a big part about that. That big, hard shell. You know, that young boy in it that had the aspirations to be more, to be free.”
For Majors, freedom is one of the main themes of this movie and something that drew him to the script. On the script, Majors commented, “Yeah, I think the most ancient quality that was, you know, put in, you know, by the homies was this aspiration for freedom. And not just physical freedom, but mental freedom. And that never changed. That never shifted.”
Photo by MGM – © Photo credit: Eli Ade © 2022 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved CREED is a trademark of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Tessa Thompson who plays Bianca, a singer and partner to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) shared how personal experiences have shaped her character in the film. “Our personal growth as people gets to be communicated inside of the characters in a way. And that is a very unique thing. I mean, we’re separate in a way, but I think some of the things that our characters are contending with, and some of the things that Mike and I are contending with personally, we get to explore in the context of these films. And I think that’s something that is really a gift.”
Creed III hits theatres March 3rd.
Synopsis: After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When 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.
