The Rocky franchise has always been about heart, grit, and underdogs rising to the occasion. Creed 3 takes the series in a new direction—one without Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, a decision that has divided longtime fans. While the film carries on the Creed storyline, it’s impossible to ignore that it feels different from its predecessors.
With Michael B. Jordan stepping in as director, the film leans heavily into new visual styles, intense rivalries, and a darker narrative. But how did the Creed 3 cast and crew put it all together? Let’s take a look behind the scenes at the making of Creed 3 and why this entry is unlike any other in the series.
Why Sylvester Stallone Is Not in Creed 3
For the first time in franchise history, Sylvester Stallone does not appear as Rocky Balboa. His absence is not by choice but rather due to an ongoing feud with producer Irwin Winkler, who owns the rights to the Rocky series.
Stallone has spoken out about his frustration with Winkler, stating that despite creating Rocky and shaping the entire franchise, he has no ownership over the films. Stallone has expressed interest in returning for a proposed Creed 4—but only if Winkler is no longer involved.
Aside from legal disputes, Stallone also felt that the story of Creed 3 was too dark and that there wasn’t a natural place for Rocky in the film. The script focuses entirely on Adonis Creed, his past, and his family, with no role for Rocky beyond being “a guy in the background.”
Rocky is only mentioned once in the entire movie, in a throwaway line:
“You know how many people tuned in when Apollo gave Rocky his shot?”
That’s it. For a character who built the franchise and trained Adonis, it feels like a gut punch.
Michael B. Jordan’s Directorial Debut
After starring as Adonis Creed in the first two films, Michael B. Jordan stepped up to direct Creed 3—his first time behind the camera. Taking inspiration from Sylvester Stallone, who directed multiple Rocky films, Jordan wanted to bring his own vision to the franchise.
“I knew I was going to need a shorthand and somebody that I could trust on my directorial debut,” Jordan said. “I also needed someone who would be able to teach me along the way.”
His collaboration with director of photography Kramer Morgenthau—who worked on Creed II—was crucial in shaping the look and feel of the film. Morgenthau noted that Jordan had been studying filmmaking for years, even before stepping into the director’s chair.
The Creed 3 Cast and Their Transformations
The Creed 3 cast pushed their physical and emotional limits to deliver gripping performances.
Jonathan Majors as Damian “Dame” Anderson
Jonathan Majors plays Damian Anderson, Adonis’ former childhood friend turned bitter rival. His dedication to the role was immense, transforming his body into that of a seasoned fighter.
“Jonathan is carved out of granite,” Jordan said. “Not just physically, but mentally. He’s focused. He already had his character built from the inside out before we even started filming.”
Majors trained like a real boxer, going through grueling workouts, sparring sessions, and weight training to match the physicality of the role.
Mila Davis-Kent as Amara Creed
A new addition to the Creed 3 cast is Mila Davis-Kent, who plays Adonis’ daughter, Amara. The actress is deaf in real life, bringing authenticity to her role.
“So often deaf people are pushed aside or forgotten about,” Davis-Kent said. “But we go through tough challenges, and we can still get through it.”
Her scenes with Jordan and Tessa Thompson were carefully crafted to reflect real-life deaf culture and family dynamics.
Anime-Inspired Fight Sequences in Creed 3
Michael B. Jordan is a massive anime fan, and he brought that influence into Creed 3’s fight choreography.
“In anime, you explore the inner thoughts of the protagonist and antagonist—even in a tense battle, they go to this calm place where their emotions are somewhere else,” Jordan explained.
To capture this style, Kramer Morgenthau used ultra-slow-motion Phantom Flex4K cameras for hyper-real close-ups. The film also introduced “Adonis Vision”, where viewers see fights through Adonis’ eyes in an anime-inspired cinematic style.
Some specific anime influences include:
- Dragon Ball Z – Over-the-top fight moments and exaggerated movement.
- Naruto: Shippuden – A special Cross Counter moment mirrors a battle between Naruto and Sasuke.
- Megalo Box – Gritty, underdog boxing themes.
Filming in IMAX: Taking Boxing to the Next Level
Creed 3 is the first film in the Rocky franchise to be shot in IMAX. Jordan wanted the audience to feel like they were inside the ring, experiencing every punch up close.
The widescreen aspect ratio shifts to IMAX (1.90:1) during fight sequences, fully immersing the audience.
Kramer Morgenthau said the decision was inspired by legendary boxing photography: “We looked at old photos of Muhammad Ali by Neil Leifer. We wanted to recreate that, getting every bit of detail from the canvas to the clouds.”
Training for the Fights: A Grueling Process
The Creed 3 cast underwent months of intense physical training to prepare for their roles.
Jonathan Majors described his daily training routine:
- Morning Weight Training – Strength workouts, running, and jump rope.
- Boxing Choreography – Shadowboxing, bag work, and fight rehearsals.
- Extra Conditioning – Late-night gym sessions to fine-tune his technique.
The fight choreography took four weeks per fight scene to perfect, ensuring realistic movement and strategy. Jordan and Majors even hit each other for real during body shots.
“We hauled off on each other. You want to feel it,” Majors said.
The Meaning Behind the Training Montage
Every Rocky and Creed film has an iconic training montage, and Creed 3 is no different. The montage was designed as a “Battle of Los Angeles,” contrasting Donnie’s and Dame’s training:
- Dame Trains in Venice Beach – Representing his gritty, street-fighter mentality.
- Donnie Runs to the Hollywood Sign – Symbolizing his return to the top.
- Tree Punching Scene – A callback to their childhood, where they trained on a tree together.
The cinematography used drones, Steadicams, and handheld rigs to capture the intensity of the sequences.
Creed 3’s Legacy: A Bold New Direction
With Michael B. Jordan directing, Jonathan Majors delivering a powerful performance, and a fresh visual approach, Creed 3 stands out in the franchise. While Rocky’s absence is felt, the film firmly establishes Adonis as his own man, separate from Balboa’s shadow.
Stallone has stated he would return for Creed 4—but only if Irwin Winkler is not involved. Whether that happens or not, Creed 3 proves the franchise still has plenty of fight left in it.
