It’s no easy task gearing up to shoot your first feature film. Star and now director Michael B. Jordan has shared the challenges he faced behind the camera for his directorial debut,Creed 3.
Jordan, following in the footsteps of Ryan Coogler and Steven Caple Jr. (directors ofMGM’sCreedandCreed 2,respectively), will bring his vision to the ring this time to continue on the story of Adonis Creed. The first-time director gained helpful tips from other successful actors-turned-filmmakers such asDenzel Washington and Bradley Cooper.
RELATED:Michael B. Jordan Says Creed 3 Drew From His Personal Experience
As a guest onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jordan shared his experiences behind the camera for the first time, one being directing while acting in the boxing sequences. “It’s tough. You got a mouthpiece in sometimes, you got gloves. You’re always depending on so many people. Your team is everything,” he said. “So, to be able to be in the middle of a boxing scene, honestly it’s sometimes easier because I can direct while I’m acting. If I need to move you upstage a little bit, I just move a little bit like this, and then I get the shot that I need.”
WithCreed 3being the ninth film in theRockyfranchise, another task for Jordan involved having the film stand out on its own. It came down tomaking theCreed 3boxing scenes feel freshto accomplish this, which he did by drawing inspiration from outside sources. “It was a gift and a curse,” Jordan said. “There’s been eight other movies before me, and we’ve shot – you’re able to shoot a boxing match so many different ways. I think ‘cause I was kinda put in a corner, it forced me to be more creative and really think outside the box of how to make the fights different…and I had a huge Japanese anime influence on a lot of my fighters.”
Set seven years afterCreed 2, Adonis continues to dominate the boxing world and thrive in his family life. However, when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy returns, he must put that aside to battle his former friend in a fight that is more than just about boxing. In addition to Jordan,Creed 3stars Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Phylicia Rashad, and Florian Munteanu. Ryan Coogler, Keenan Coogler, and Zach Baylin wrote the story, with Keenan Coogler and Baylin penning the screenplay.
