The first trailer for “Creed III,” in which Newark native Michael B. Jordan takes the helm, was released on Tuesday.
Jordan, 35, directs and also plays Adonis Creed in the picture, which also features Phylicia Rashad (Mary Anne Creed) and Tessa Thompson (Isis Creed) (Bianca).
At the age of 33, Emmy nominee Jonathan Majors (“Lovecraft Country,” “The Harder They Fall”) joins the franchise as Damian Anderson, an old buddy of Adonis’ who has recently been released from prison. According to the preview, they end up fighting after reconnecting and Adonis first helps his old friend join the gym.
Damian advises Adonis, “Try spending half your life in a cell watching somebody else live their life.” I’m going to take it all.
For the first time, Sylvester Stallone will not be in attendance in his iconic role as Rocky Balboa from the original “Rocky” film from 1976.
Jordan made a special Instagram post to announce the trailer’s arrival.
In my first directing effort, I say: Even now, Jordan’s claim sounds absurd: “There is no picture that has been more personal to me, and no project I have felt more equipped to steer. I’m thrilled to present the first Creed 3 trailer to you all. I appreciate the hard work you’ve put in to ensure that this brand lives on, and so do the members of my cast and crew.
The release date of the MGM film, which had been set for November 23, has been moved to March 3, 2023.
Writer/director Ryan Coogler collaborated on the story for “Creed” with his brother Keenan Coogler (“Space Jam: A New Legacy”) and “King Richard” screenwriter Zach Baylin, who was nominated for an Academy Award.
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, and Phylicia Rashad, and directed by Ryan Coogler, the first “Creed” film was released in 2015. It was announced that Stallone has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Stallone returned for 2018’s “Creed II,” directed by Steven Caple Jr., which also featured Dolph Lundgren and Brigitte Nielsen repeating their “Rocky IV” roles of Ivan and Ludmilla Drago, and Florian Munteanu playing their son, Viktor Drago.
In “Rocky IV,” Ivan Drago is the one who kills Apollo Creed, Creed’s father.
Munteanu returns as Viktor Drago in “Creed III,” as well.
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