STACK #223 May 2023

MOVIE FEATURE

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FROM OUT OF THE SHADOWS Creed III is the ninth instalment in the greater Rocky franchise, and the first without Sylvester Stallone’s involvement. Following his Oscar nomination for Creed in 2015, Stallone reprised his role in Creed II but declined to return for this latest chapter. He cited creative differences as his reason, however the actor’s well-documented fallout with series producer Irwin Winkler is perhaps the real cause of his absence. While there is no denying the impact of Rocky’s legacy, his omission from Creed III ultimately plays to the film’s strength by allowing Adonis Creed to step out from the shadows.

For Michael B. Jordan, Creed III represents the most important - and perhaps riskiest - step in his entire career. While reprising his role as the franchise’s titular hero, Jordan has also directed this new chapter, which owes everything to Sylvester Stallone’s original Rocky series (1976-2006). Words Glenn Cochrane STEPPING INTO THE RING FOR ROUND THREE

peaceful life after being released from prison. “ Creed III shows the different roads, relationships and interactions of two men that made different choices, lived different lives, and found themselves in the same ring,” he explains. “I wanted my film to reflect lessons I have learned in life: lessons about being kind to one another, but

DYK?

mostly kind to ourselves. Forgiveness is the most

The film’s three stars are all involved in the Marvel Cinematic

integral part of any conflict, because it is the only way to overcome what you’re up against,” he continues, “and confronting yourself in a real way is how you move forward with healing. “This film is not about

E ffectively seizing ownership of Stallone’s creation - the most successful sports franchise in film history - Jordan has injected it with themes of personal and cultural significance. Jordan’s knockout take pits his now retired champ Creed against new contender and former childhood friend Damian Anderson, played by Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania baddie Jonathan Majors.

“I wanted the characters in my film to face their

Universe. Michael B Jordan is villain N’Jadaka in Black Panther (2018), Tessa Thompson plays Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), and Jonathan Majors is Kang the Conqueror in this month’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania .

disagreements while making a statement about humanity and its nuances, with empathy,”

one man fighting another for a world title. It's about challenging yourself and proving to yourself that your existence is legitimate, that you deserve your blessings.” In Creed III we find Adonis and his musician wife, Bianca - Tessa Thompson reprising her role

Jordan explains. “How we handle and communicate our

Within weeks of the film’s release, it would become the highest-earning entry in the Creed trilogy, also smashing some of Rocky’s records. Instead of competing with the underdog themes heavily explored throughout previous chapters, Jordan's version

emotions is a part of our exploration of our inner self.” The 36-year-old, who previously made his name in front of

- at the dawn of a new era, with their young daughter eager to learn boxing from her father. Says Thompson of Jordan’s approach to this fresh arc in the story: “Michael knows the character of Adonis Creed so well, and he knows the world of these films. For a third instalment, you’re always trying to figure out, ‘What can we do that’s new inside of this story?’ Having Mike be at the helm added so much energy, and a fresh perspective.”

the camera with titles such as Black Panther (2018), Just Mercy (2019), and Fruitvale Station (2013), has

instead boldly tackles darker themes of guilt, forgiveness, and trauma. In many ways, this has made Creed III even more reflective of the world outside the cinema, echoing what Rocky did so well during its respective time.

reflected on the development of the film’s main character, as well as Creed’s new nemesis Anderson; the latter is a bitter and vengeful opponent who threatens to uproot Creed’s

• Creed III is out on May 31

Michael B. Jordan

28 MAY 2023

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