There are a lot of challenges making the transition over to the director’s chair, especially when one is still starring in the film. However, Michael B. Jordan couldn’t have asked for better help, as the actor recently revealed the directing advice he received from Denzel Washington and Bradley Cooper for the upcomingCreed 3.
Like Jordan withMGM’sCreed 3, Washington and Cooper are no strangers to taking on the directing role. Washington’s directorial debut came in 2002 withAntwone Fisher, followed byThe Debaters,Fences,and last year’sA Journal for Jordan,inwhich Jordan starred. Cooper’sA Star is Bornremake was his debut, and he is currently filming his sophomore film,Maestro, for a 2023 release.
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Speaking toEmpirein the upcomingIndiana Jones 5issue, Jordan talked about transitioning to the director’s chair and following inthe footsteps of Sylvester Stallone, who not only starred as the iconic Rocky character but helped pen the script for all the films and directed three entries. “I was pretty anxious going into it, wondering what that would be like. ‘Who’s calling action and cut? Is that me?!'" Jordan said.
But luckily,Jordan had some help onCreed 3. “Talking with Denzel [Washington] and Bradley Cooper and others who have directed themselves, they told me you have to find your groove and your pace with your first AD and actors,” he explained. “But it’s also like having a superpower: within your performance, you can also direct. It saves some time in some areas, because you get a chance to self-correct in the moment. So that’s a liberating experience to have. It became fun after a while.”
While Jordan’s main challenge was filling the directing duty, Adonis' istaking on Jonathan Majors' Damian Anderson, the new adversary who is not only physically intimidating but one with ties to Adonis' past. “I think he has an intensity and a realness of character we haven’t seen before,” Jordan teased. “He’s a grounded character who’s antagonistic by nature, but it comes from an honest place, real emotions. He’s not a moustache-twirling villain; I wanted people to understand him, and to make it hard for people. I think those make for the most complicated and interesting ones to watch.” Based on Jordan’s comments,Creed 3has been in good hands and looks to build upon the success of its predecessors.
Set five years afterCreed 2, Adonis continues to dominate the boxing world and thrives in his family life. However, when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy (played by Majors) returns, he must put that aside to battle his former friend in a fight that is more than just about boxing. In addition to its two leads, the film stars Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Phylicia Rashad and Florian Munteanu.Black Panther 2director Ryan Coogler, Keenan Coogler, and Zach Baylin wrote the story, with Keenan Coogler and Baylin penning the screenplay.
