Michael B. Jordan Takes Director's Chair for 'Creed IV'

Michael B. Jordan poses at the 2023 Oscar red carpet. (Mike Coppola via Getty Images)

By: Adonis Armstrong

Franchise producer Irwin Winkler announced the expansion of the Creed series with a fourth installment, revealing Michael B. Jordan's directorial role following his lead performance as Adonis Creed in Creed III. The third installment achieved a successful theater release in March, setting records with a $58 million opening weekend. Although MGM hasn't confirmed the news, Deadline was the first to report it.

Michael B. Jordan's role in the franchise commenced in 2015 with Creed, continuing through its sequels in 2018 and 2023. Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa featured in the initial two films as well.

Earlier this year, Variety also covered discussions between Jordan and Amazon, exploring the potential expansion of the Creed universe through supplementary film and TV projects.

Deadline also shared a video clip of Winkler discussing the project.

Irwin Winkler confirms Michael B. Jordan will direct ‘Creed 4’ #DeadlineContenders pic.twitter.com/nF4siAFslu

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) November 18, 2023

“We’re planning to do Creed IV right now — it’s in the works — and we think we have a really good story, a really good plot. We got a little delayed because of the strikes, but about a year from now, we’re going into pre-production.”

— Irwin Winkler

“Michael and the creative team had the beautiful vision from the start to create a wholly new and different experience for this movie,” he stated. “It had to be firmly cemented in what we all [know] the Creed and Rocky movies for… it had to have great action, boxing, but we also really examined what kind of movie we were making. And a lot of that, those early days with Michael, were spent crafting how we were looking at the Damian character, which is why I think everyone responded to the depth, not only on the page but also on the screen. You spend half the movie having deep sympathy for him and understanding his vulnerability.”

Will Creed IV follow a time jump for Adonis' daughter or introduce a new opponent? As 2024 and 2025 approach and Creed IV moves closer to pre-production, more details will likely emerge.

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Attorney of Jonathan Majors Claims Innocence In Domestic Dispute Charges

London, United Kingdom - February 16, 2023: Jonathan Majors attends the "Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania" UK Gala Screening at BFI IMAX Waterloo in London, England.

Credit: Fred Duval via Shutterstock

By: Omar Cook

Jonathan Majors sent the entertainment world into a frenzy over the weekend when news broke that he had been arrested on assault charges, stemming from an altercation with a woman. His attorney Priya Chaudhry, relayed to Deadline that Majors is innocent.

“Jonathan Majors is completely innocent and is probably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows,” Chaudhry said in a statement. “We are quickly gathering and presenting evidence to the District Attorney with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently.”

According to the AP, Majors who recently starred in blockbuster movie, Creed III super star, was arrested Saturday in New York City on charges of harassment, assault and strangulation.

At 11 a.m Police responded to an emergency phone call that came from inside a downtown Manhattan apartment, according to reports. The altercation was a domestic dispute involving a 30 year old woman.

“The victim informed police she was assaulted,” a spokesperson for the NYPD said in a statement. “Officers placed the 33-year-old male into custody without incident. The victim sustained minor injuries to her head and neck and was removed to an area hospital in stable condition.”

According to The Associated Press Majors was released from custody Saturday. Majors is already beginning to see repercussions from the incident as Majors’s U.S. Army campaign was pulled from television, Monday. The Army was set to return with its “Be All You Can Be” with Majors as the lead.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the U.S. Army Enterprise Marketing Office released a statement:

“The U.S. Army is aware of the arrest of Jonathan Majors, and we are deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding his arrest. While Mr. Majors is innocent until proven guilty, prudence dictates that we pull our ads until the investigation into these allegations is complete.”

As more details arise, Majors will look to clear his name, but this situation could not have come at a worse time as Creed III continues to make waves.

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Jonathan Majors Set to Star in and Produce 'Da Understudy' for Amazon Studios

By: Adonis Armstrong

Jonathan Majors is set to star in and produce the upcoming film Da Understudy from Amazon Studios and Westbrook Studios according to Deadline. The film was acquired by Amazon Studios after a competitive bidding process. Spike Lee is rumored to be directing the film, which would mark a reunion with Majors after their work on Da 5 Bloods. Majors will be producing the feature under his production company, Tall Street Productions.

Majors involvement in the film comes after his success in MGM and Amazon's record-breaking opening-weekend grosses for Creed III. In the film, Majors plays Damian Anderson, the antagonist of Adonis Creed, which became the biggest opener in the Rocky and Creed franchises and the largest-ever opening for a sports film. Majors has had a breakout year with roles in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, Lovecraft Country, and The Harder They Fall. He is also set to star in Magazine Dreams and The Man in My Basement.

Da Understudy tells the story of an understudy of a Broadway production who finds a role he is willing to kill for. Will Smith, Westbrook Studios Co-President & Head of Motion Pictures Jon Mone, and Mike Soccio will also produce the film, with Lee and Tyler Cole serving as executive producers. Ryan Shimazaki will oversee the project on behalf of Westbrook.

This announcement has created a buzz in the entertainment industry, as Majors is quickly becoming a sought-after actor and producer. He has demonstrated his range and talent in various films and series, and his upcoming projects show that he is not slowing down anytime soon.

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Michael B. Jordan Receives A Star on the Hollywood Half of Fame

Michael B. Jordan kneels in front of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

GETTY IMAGES

By: Omar Cook

With Creed III set to release in just two days, Michael B. Jordan is set to have an iconic month of March with it kicking off by receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday. Jordan is making new strides with his directorial debut coming with Creed III. To star and direct in a major Hollywood film is a tall task, but Michael B. Jordan has shown that he can excel with the added weight on his shoulders.

Michael B. Jordan will reprise his role as Adonis Creed alongside Johnathan Majors, who plays Jordan’s rival in the movie. Majors was at the ceremony joined by Creed director Ryan Coogler as the both of them spoke on Jordan’s behalf.

"Michael, to me, represents a mythical character. I don't think it's an act of luck or an act of chance that so many people see him as Adonis [and] that he was cast as Adonis. He has taken this story and pushed it forward... I don't think that's a coincidence" Majors said.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: Michael B. Jordan (C) and family attend the Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star Ceremony honoring Michael B. Jordan on March 01, 2023 in Hollywood, California.

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It’s been an amazing journey for Jordan, first making his acting debut in a 1999 episode of The Sopranos and his first principal movie role in 2001 sports drama, Hardball.

Jordan spoke about the advice he would give to his younger self stating, "stay optimistic, stay faithful, stay true to yourself [and] always keep a full, kind heart. The universe will make your wildest dreams come true."

Jordan also reflected on his late friend, Chadwick Boseman, mentioning that he was looking down on them. Ryan Coogler shared his admiration. “It's been a ride of a lifetime...watching him blossom” Coogler said. “From Newark, New Jersey, bro, to walking in front of driving cars to having your name on this street, bro, God d**n!'“

Ryan Coogler & Jonathan Majors Talk Creed lll, Black Panther And Why Michael B. Jordan Is The Man

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