It’s time to step back into the ring with Adonis “Donnie” Creed as he faces his most dangerous opponent yet: a very angry Jonathan Majors. Luckily, we don’t have long to wait, as Creed III hits New Zealand cinemas on March 2.
We thought we’d seen the last of Rocky Balboa until 2015’s Creed revitalised the franchise, giving us the great Michael B. Jordan as Adonis, illegitimate son of heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. Over the course of two films so far, we’ve seen him struggle to live up to his legendary father’s legacy, but now he’s facing another ghost from the past: old mate Damian “Dame” Anderson (Majors) out on the street after a long stretch in prison and determined to take everything Donny has—both inside the ring and without.
That set-up has parallels with 1983’s Rocky III, in which Sylvester Stallone’s now-successful palooka faced Mr T’s younger, meaner, and hungrier challenger. But there’s an added personal dimension here, as Dame took the full weight for a crime that would have put young Donnie away for years. That kind of grudge should manifest in some brutal in-the-ring action, have no doubt.
Michael B. Jordan, a talent to watch ever since he was tragically blown away in the first season of The Wire, is behind the camera on this one, making his feature directing debut, while Creed director Ryan Coogler produces and has a story credit. Other returning players include Tessa Thompson as Bianca, Donnie’s love interest, Phylicia Rashad as his adoptive mother, Mary Ann, and Wood Harris as boxing trainer Little Duke. No sign of Sylvester Stallone on mentor duties as the ageing but iconic Rocky Balboa, though. Perhaps the powers that be are keeping a Mr T appearance under wraps?
Well, we can hope. In the meantime, what is promising to be the best sports movie of 2023 is mere months away.
