Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
In 2015, MGM pulled a veritable rabbit out of its hat with director Ryan Coogler’s reinvigoration of the Rocky franchise. Ostensibly set up as the changing of the guard (or the passing of the torch if that’s more your cup of java, Dear and Constant Reader), Creed looked at the Rocky Balboa universe through an entirely new prism in the form of one of the pugilists staunchest rivals – and later most supportive allies – Apollo Creed. In point of fact, long-in-the-tooth Rocky fans and an entire new audience altogether mutually embraced the story of Adonis Creed (a powerful and understated Michael B. Jordan) and his journey alongside Sylvester Stallone’s ailing pugilist. It was an odd-couple story writ large with just the kind of heart and chutzpah fans of the previous Rocky films had come to expect. The box-office gods were kind and smiled on this winning film and it remains one of the bigger cinematic injustices that Sly Stallone didn’t walk home with an Oscar for his fresh take on Balboa.
A sequel soon followed, though without Coogler’s involvement as a director it felt more slight than its predecessor, less substantive. MGM is hoping to do a course-correct with the upcoming third film in this Rocky sub-franchise, Creed III. With Jordan once again reprising his role as Adonis and now calling the shots as the director of the new entry, this might just be a solid KO by everyone involved. Word of warning and lament: Sylvester Stallone’s beloved Rocky character will not appear in Creed III, striking a flat note with at least a few longtime fans.
Our Somebody Up There Likes Me fanatics over at The Hollywood Reporter were on hand last night during the Super Bowl to wax rhapsodic about the brand-spankin’ new trailer for Creed III, and it does look like the third time out might just be as powerful as that initial 2015 entry. You can check that trailer out right here.
Creed III follows the story of Adonis Creed who, as the story opens, is at the top of his game. Family life? Check! Professional life? Going gangbusters! The one caveat that Adonis suddenly faces comes with the release from prison of his old school chum and boxing wunderkind who has a big chip on his shoulder. Turns out that this is one old pal that isn’t just swinging by to catch up on old times over a couple of cold ones; this new Big Bad wants his own shot at the championship belt which Adonis proudly wears.
We’ll all find out just how this conflict goes down when Creed III punches into theatres the world over on March3!
