Creed III star Michael B. Jordan has described the upcoming sequel as “the dawn of a new era for the franchise and the character.” Speaking to Total Film, who have also revealed new images of both Jordan as Adonis Creed and Jonathan Majors as his old friend-turned-opponent Damian Anderson, the actor and director teased how the Creed franchise will step out of the shadow of Rocky Balboa in Creed III.

"We wouldn’t have Donnie without Rocky, and he will always be a pillar in Donnie’s life, but Creed III is really the dawn of a new era for the franchise and the character. It was really important from a storytelling perspective to get to a pivotal point in Donnie’s career a few years down the line where he has really established himself with his professional career and his family."

We have known for some time that Creed III will not feature Sylvester Stallone’s iconic underdog Rocky Balboa. Instead, the sequel will pick up five years after Creed II, and finds Adonis dominating the boxing world, and thriving in both his career and family life. But when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian "Dame" Anderson, resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Donnie must put his future on the line to battle Dame – a fighter who has nothing to lose.

While Stallone will sit this one out (due in part to the actor finding the storyline too dark), Jordan has promised that Creed III will maintain the same spirit as the franchise’s prior installments. “I think it’s in the spirit of Rocky, whose fingerprints will always and forever be on this franchise,” he explained. “The essence of him is still there. But at the same time, the Creed franchise is moving in a strong direction.”

Related: Creed III: Jonathan Majors Says Trading Punches With Michael B. Jordan 'Was Like a Sick Dream'

Michael B. Jordan Calls Creed III the “Most Challenging Thing” He's Ever Done

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MGM Studios

Creed III marks Jordan’s directorial debut, a task that he has now described as "the most challenging thing I’ve done in my career, by far.”

"Whether it was working with all the departments to make sure they have what they need to go do their job, staying in shape, developing the story, or having my own process as an actor with Adonis. I was pushing myself to new limits daily."

Thankfully, Jordan had some hugely talented friends on hand, including Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, Creed 2’s Steven Caple Jr., and Oscar winner Denzel Washington.

"I’ve been blessed to work with and learn from incredible directors over the years, like Ryan [Coogler: Creed, Fruitvale Station, Black Panther] and Steven [Caple Jr.: Creed 2], who gave me a ton of guidance and mentorship heading into this process. Ryan was one of the first people that really solidified directing as an aspiration for me. I remember him saying on the first Creed, ‘It’s never the right time. You just gotta jump in the deep end and go for it.’ I also received a ton of mentorship from Denzel Washington... There’s not a lot of people who have directed themselves."

Creed III is scheduled to be release on March 3, 2023, by United Artists Releasing.