Adonis Creed has a challenge in front of him in this third installment of the famed movie franchise: he needs to face his past and overcome what it means about him and for his future.
In both Creed and Creed II, Adonis Creed showed his grit and determination to achieve his goal of becoming the Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world, but in Creed III he’s faced with a challenge so big he’ll need to dig even deeper to find the strength to fight on.
Creed III also marks Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, which was also surely a challenge. Directing a movie can be hard enough to do well, but when you add in the fact that you’re directing yourself in the starring role, the degree of difficulty grows exponentially.
Luckily, Jordan has met the challenge and crushed it; this is a terrific first film.
Read these Exclusive Quotes from the Creed III Press Conference with the Cast
Adonis’ Journey in the Creed Movies
Throughout the three Creed movies, Adonis has had to learn and then keep sight of his big “why”. Why does he fight? Is it to follow in his father’s footsteps, is it to prove his worth to the world – or to himself? And even more importantly in the world of professional boxing: how can he win?
The ability to believe in yourself when the odds against you are overwhelming and there are giant obstacles in your path is the real work here, and Adonis has had to learn that lesson again and again. Just like we all do.
Facts About Creed III
Directed by: Michael B. Jordan
Screenplay by: Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin
Story by: Ryan Coogler and Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin
Produced by: Irwin Winkler, p.g.a., Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, p.g.a., Michael B. Jordan, p.g.a., Elizabeth Raposo, p.g.a., Jonathan Glickman, Sylvester Stallone
Executive Producers: Sev Ohanian, Zinzi Coogler, Nicolas Stern, Adam Rosenberg
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Mila Davis-Kent, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad
Rating: PG-13 for intense sports action, violence and some strong language
Theatrical Opening Date: March 3, 2023
Running Time: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Creed III – a Friend from the Past Appears
Creed III opens with Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) enjoying the life of a retired champion and a family he loves, with Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and their daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent) by his side. He spends time at the gym he’s running with his longtime trainer, helping to mentor and train a new champion.
But there’s a new challenge for Adonis this time – facing his past.
His old friend Damian Anderson (Johnathan Majors), whom he knew when they lived in a group home, has just been released from prison after serving a long sentence, and while at first they seem to be re-kindling a friendship, in reality Damian has come to settle a score.
Damian believes Adonis owes him a debt, that he was left behind in prison unjustly, and that Adonis was to blame.
Damian had been a promising Golden Gloves boxer as a teen, and he’s spent his years in prison focusing on what could have been. He wants to be the Heavyweight Champion, and he’s so determined to make that a reality, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Including forcing Adonis to help him. The challenge for Adonis in Creed III is to come to terms with the truth of his past; but beyond that, to let it go.
You Can’t Run From Your Past – But What if You Don’t Need To?
Letting go of your past and any guilt or shame you are holding onto may be one of the hardest things to learn in life, but it’s the thing that will set you free to live in the present.
However, that doesn’t stop us from running away or hiding from our past, because, as Adonis realizes, it’s a tough fight.
Brené Brown, who studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, has this to say about the subject:
If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.
Brené Brown
Bianca offers Adonis the way to share his story, as his wife and partner, and as someone who loves him. She’s always been in his corner supporting him, and when he can tell her the story he’s been so eager to hide, it starts to set him free from it.
As a woman, I wonder if this skill is even harder for men to learn? Because it’s hard enough for women. On the surface it may seem like men have more self-confidence than they could possibly ever need, but I feel the truth is they don’t.
In my experience, men are full of bravado, but not always full of self love and confidence. They overcompensate for it, but when it comes right down to it, they need help to gain confidence and ‘get their minds right,’ to paraphrase Rocky Balboa in Creed II.
Once Adonis learns he can release the shame and guilt he feels about the past, he remembers how to believe in himself. And that’s how he wins.
Are You a Fan of the Creed Movies?
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