Creed 3, in theaters since March 1, features Adonis solo against a formidable opponent. This time, Rocky isn’t there to support him. Why isn’t Stallone in Creed 3? Michael B. Jordan answered the question.
“It’s not over until the bell rings!”, hammered Rocky Balboa in the cult saga. The tireless boxer seems to have transmitted this rage to win to his foal, Adonis, who succeeded him in the first two parts of Creed.
Indeed, the bell has not yet rung for the sports franchise! After two opuses that have convinced the public, bringing in 387 million dollars in worldwide revenue, Creed is back in cinemas in a 3rd episode.
This time, Michael B. Jordan has taken over the reins of the saga by stepping behind the camera for the first time.
“Creed 3 comes at the right time. I’m at a point in my life where I have the necessary maturity, both personal and professional, to embark on my own story. I’ve learned a lot alongside Ryan Coogler [réalisateur de Creed et Black Panther]and more recently with Denzel Washingtonamong other filmmakers I respect”confided the neo-filmmaker when embarking on the filming of the film.
“Creed is a saga that resonates deeply with me. I can’t wait to share the next installment in the story of Adonis Creed, as director and headliner, which is a huge responsibility.”he concluded.
By wishing to take control of Creed 3, Michael B. Jordan also wanted to free himself from the aura of Rocky and Sylvester Stallone to fly on his own.
“I know Sly revealed he won’t be coming back for Creed 3 but you know there will always be the spirit and essence of Rocky in this saga. There will always be a bit of Rocky in Adonis Creed”says Michael B. Jordan at the microphone ofIGN in April 2021.
“However, it’s a Creed franchise”he continued, “We really wanted to build this story and this universe around Adonis to allow him to move forward, to emancipate himself.”
The director then recalled the love and admiration he and his team have for Stallone and the character of Rocky.
“We have a lot of respect for everything he has built. Now we want to highlight Adonis and his family. And I think the public will like what we are preparing. It will be a really special episode”he concluded.
For his part, Sylvester Stallone is not a big fan of the direction taken by Michael B. Jordan. Asked by The Hollywood Reporter last November, the Italian Stallion did not mince words regarding the project.
2023 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Michael B.Jordan
According to Rocky’s interpreter, Jordan takes the saga to a “dark space”taking a very different path from how he views the franchise’s characters.
I will never watch Creed 3.
“I will never watch Creed 3. It’s the classic shot. They pick up a few aspects of Rocky here and there without even asking my opinion or if I want to be part of it”laments Stallone, also referring to the announcement of the spin-off on Drago in development.
Furious against the rights holders of the Rocky license, Stallone is in open conflict with them. “I’m not an executive producer of the Creed movies. Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are. The children ofIrwin Winkler And Robert Chartoff are. Not mine. I’m the only one left behind”Sly said bitterly.
Last August, Sly was already attacking Winkler (Rocky’s rights holder) on his Instagram account. “After sucking Rocky’s blood to the core, Irwin Winkler, Hollywood’s most hated, least talented, most decrepit producer and his cowardly children have found their next prey…Draco?”he had lost his temper.
The 76-year-old comedian also spoke about the decisions of the Creed 3 team regarding the story and the rivalry between Adonis and Damian (Jonathan Majors). “It’s a regrettable situation because I know what it could have been. They took a completely opposite direction to what I would have taken”says Stallone.
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“It’s a different philosophy, that of Irwin Winkler and Michael B. Jordan. I wish them good luck, but on my side, I’m much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting punched, but I don’t want them to go into that dark space. I think the audience sees enough darkness already.”explained Sylvester Stallone.
Creed 3 hit theaters on March 1, 2023. And if you miss Stallone, he’s currently starring in the Tulsa King series on Paramount+.