Fans of the Rocky and Creed series recently got their first look at Creed III with the film's official trailer, which set up the latest challenge for Adonis Creed. In this film, the boxer will face off against an estranged friend who Adonis tries to help but instead feels spurned by him and wants vengeance. Judging from the trailer, all the important people in Adonis' life will be returning for Creed III, except one: his trainer and legendary former boxer Rocky Balboa.
Longtime Rocky star Sylvester Stallone's no-show will mark the first time that his Balboa character has been absent from any films in the series. Although some might resent Creed III for this change and look at it as a negative, it is actually a good thing for the series and its characters. In this film, Adonis will be able to show that he can move forward and carry a movie, and the film will leave Rocky behind with the happy ending that he had long deserved in Creed II.
Adonis Creed Will Finally Stand on His Own in Creed III
Over the years, the Rocky and Creed films have deservedly cemented Rocky Balboa as a legendary character. This was not only because of the boxing prowess the character showed in the ring but also because of the warmth, sense of humor, and sage-like wisdom he was able to bring to each movie, especially to Adonis, his protégé and the son of his late friend, Apollo Creed. Although actor Michael B. Jordan was the lead of each Creed entry as Adonis, those films always felt like his character needed Rocky to be there as his support system.
In Creed III, audiences will likely find Adonis in a more mature place than he was in the previous movies. His life as an experienced boxer, a husband, and a father has no doubt made him wiser as a person. The film has the opportunity to show that Adonis can rely on himself and the lessons he's learned over the years to help himself through tough times -- and not have to turn to his mentor. Instead, his surrogate uncle Rocky can watch from offscreen as his nephew makes him proud.
Keeping Rocky Out of Creed III Ensured His Happy Ending
Over the course of the Rocky and Creed series, life was not easy for Rocky Balboa. He lost family members and friends, suffered brain damage, had to undergo chemotherapy for cancer, and even was estranged from his son. Creed II left the former boxer in a good place as he went to Canada to successfully reconcile with his son and finally meet his grandson. It's a credit to the recent Samaritan star Stallone that he was able to make Rocky so convincingly positive, even when life threw him so many haymakers. However, leaving him out of Creed III actually puts him in a good place and makes it feel like the character finally got the break that he long deserved.
Even without the presence of Rocky, Creed III will still manage to be a story about a fighter who rises up against adversity and triumphs in the end. After all, who doesn't like a good underdog story?
Watch Adonis Creed get back into the ring when Creed III hits theaters on March 3, 2023.