Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors Appear as Sculpted Boxing Champions in "Creed III"

The two protagonists in the upcoming installment of the "Rocky" franchise spin-off appear more than ready for the ring.

The Rocky movies and their spin-off franchise, Creed, embody a theme of triumphing over athletic challenges. They depict boxers who achieve the seemingly impossible while pushing themselves to peak competitive form. Next year, audiences can anticipate another inspiring tale with two Hollywood actors embodying that ethos in the ring once more.

On October 17, 2022, actor Michael B. Jordan unveiled two teaser posters for the highly anticipated boxing saga, Creed III, via his Instagram profile. The teasers showcase Jordan in the role of fictional boxing sensation Adonis Creed, alongside his co-star Jonathan Majors, who portrays the formidable new adversary, Damian “Dame” Anderson. Both actors are depicted seated in the corner of a boxing ring, exuding immense shoulder and arm muscles, displaying their chiseled upper-body physique. These reveals coincided with the announcement of the film's official release date set for March 3, 2023.

According to Variety, Creed III marks Michael B. Jordan's directorial debut. The 35-year-old actor returns to portray one of his most iconic roles, known for its intense training sequences emphasizing cardio, upper-body strength, and overall high-level conditioning. Alongside his acclaimed lead roles in films like 2013's Fruitvale Station and 2018's Black Panther, Jordan has solidified his status as a versatile talent.

In contrast, Jonathan Majors enters the Creed franchise as a rising star in the film industry. At 33 years old, Majors gained recognition with his role in 2019's The Last Black Man in San Francisco. He has since made notable appearances in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods in 2020 and the 2021 spaghetti western The Harder They Fall. Majors is set to take on the role of Kang the Conqueror, the next lead antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, showcasing his versatility and talent across different genres.

In a recent profile with Men's Health, Jonathan Majors emphasized his dedication to fitness regardless of his film roles. Initially mentioning his need to surpass physical requirements for film, like bench pressing 250 pounds, Majors amusingly corrected himself, aiming for 305 pounds instead.

This mindset carried over to his preparation for Creed III, where Majors reportedly insisted on using real weights during filming rather than "fake weights." Expressing his determination, Majors stated, "Put these [expletive] weights on so we can lift it, so you can shoot it, so I can tell the story. Respectfully, anything less is like putting fake tears in your eyes. Or putting fake sweat on you."

While the clash between Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors in Creed III is eagerly anticipated, the dedication both actors show to their fitness suggests a compelling battle between the ropes when the film hits theaters in March 2023.

Featured image: @michaelbjordan on Instagram