At 35 years old, Michael B Jordan is making perhaps the biggest step forward of his career—the step behind the camera. With the upcoming blockbuster Creed III, the third in the hugely popular and acclaimed spin-off series of the Rocky franchise, Jordan is making his debut as a director, with long-time collaborator Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther) producing.
The first trailer has dropped, and it’s a doozy, with rising star Jonathan Majors (The Last Black Man in San Francisco, the Marvel Cinematic Universe), appearing as his old friend turned burgeoning rival.
Watch here:
To celebrate the trailer drop, Esquire Middle East got the inside scoop on Jordan’s move to the director’s chair.
Creed III drops in cinemas and IMAX on March 2, 2023 across the Middle East. See you there!
Read Michael B Jordan talk about his directorial debut with Creed III below:
Why did you feel this was the right time for you to make your directorial debut?
I think for me, it was the perfect time. Growing up on set, being in the industry for over 20 years, and starting 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 and storytelling took place, I finally got to a place in my career where I wanted to tell the story and not just be in front of the camera, not just execute somebody else’s vision. Having it be a character I played twice before, it’s been seven or eight years living with this guy, I feel I can tell the story of where I believe Adonis is at.
At 35 years old, I have a lot to say as a young man–as a young black man, with my life experiences. I felt I could actually share that share a piece of myself with the world through these characters and through the story. I just feel like it was the right time. 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’ve just got to jump in the deep end and go for it. He gave me a lot of encouragement. I just felt it was the right time for me.
So this began back on the set of Creed I?
Yeah. I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of incredible directors, and having a lot of guidance and mentors and people that I look up to and aspire to be on that storytelling level. And I’ve been quietly watching and putting together these decks and folders and things that I want to try. I was just waiting for the right opportunity to step up and get behind the camera, and this was the one for me.
How did you settle on Jonathan Majors as the film’s antagonist?
Jonathan Majors is incredible. I’m very blessed and lucky to have him be a part of this story, and for me as a director, to have as a running mate. It made all the difference in the world. I think he’s extremely talented. The world is finding out daily how incredible this man is, and the work that he does. He’s finally getting the props that he’s due. And Jonathan was incredible ,man, he showed up every day, ready to go to war, ready to work. Me and him bonded in a way that I never had an opportunity to before. I guess it’s my first time directing that relationship between no director and actor, and I understand that now. And it’s a bond that lasts forever.
I was just really lucky to have that gentleman by my side while I’m going through this process. It was extremely helpful. You’ll find out more with time, but he’s definitely playing a pivotal person and a pillar in Adonis’s life that comes back around and needs to be addressed.
How was reuniting with Tessa Thompson?
Tessa is incredible. Trust is a huge thing, and having earned each other’s trust being in scenes together, now she trusts me as a storyteller. That was the biggest compliment that she’s given me thus far. The encouragement and confidence that I have with my cast helps me go out and do things that seem, impossible.
I got that support in front of the camera with these guys knowing they’re giving me the space to do all the other things that a director has to do, and still show up every day, given 110%. With these two guys, I’m blessed.
Creed III is out March 2, 2023 across the Middle East