Creed III is the first film that movie star Michael B. Jordan will direct. So why did he choose this one to pick for his directorial debut? He answers in this interview.
Why Michael B. Jordan Chose Creed III As His Directorial Debut
Michael B. Jordan has been in the acting scene for a while now. Creed III will mark the third time that he has played this iconic character, so why did he choose this film to make his directorial debut? When asked during the trailer launch press conference, he said for him, it felt like the perfect time.
“Growing up on set, in the industry over 20 years – I started out doing background work and extra work and just kind of just seeing the sets evolve, seeing everybody’s job, seeing how a real production’s storytelling took place. I finally got to this place in my career where I wanted to tell a story and not just be in front of the camera, not just execute somebody else’s vision. And having a character that I’ve played twice before, it’s been seven, eight years living with this guy.”
Because he knows the character so well, Jordan says he is able to tell a story of where he believes Adonis is at as a 35 year old man. “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. So I just felt like it was the right time.” He adds, “I was talking to Ryan Coogler back when we were doing CREED I, and he was just like, It’s never the right time. You just gotta jump in the deep end and go for it.”
Michael B. Jordan explains that he has been blessed to work with a lot of incredible directors. He has had a lot of guidance and mentors and people that he looks up to and aspires to be like. “Quietly watching and putting together these decks and folders and things that I want to try over quite some time now. So I was just kind of waiting for the right opportunity to step up and get behind the camera. And this was the one for me.”
He has had a lot of experience being on set since he was a kid, but he also has great shorthand with the cast and crew that have been around since Creed I. “Having a shorthand with these people, a clear vision, for what story I want to tell because I’ve been marinating on and developing it for such a long time. It was the most challenging thing that I’ve ever done so far by, by far, just daily pushing myself to new limits learning how to communicate and really get what’s in your head and have other people pick up on that passion, on that enthusiasm and want to execute your vision to the best of their ability.”
Jordan admits that directing is not an easy task, but he is thankful that everything lined up perfectly for this opportunity for him. Check out Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut when Creed III hits theaters March 3rd, 2023.
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About Creed III
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a 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.
Creed III is the third installment in the successful franchise and is Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut.
Story by RYAN COOGLER and KEENAN COOGLER & ZACH BAYLIN
Screenplay by KEENAN COOGLER & ZACH BAYLIN
Directed by MICHAEL B. JORDAN
