Find Station
 

Michael B. Jordan: Creed III Will Have Big Fights Inspired By Anime

"Creed II" New York Premiere

Photo: Getty Images

The newest installment in the Rocky-Creed franchise will feature boxing matches inspired by Japanese animation according to Creed III star and director Michael B. Jordan.

In a recent interview on The Feature Presentation, Jordan told host DJ Suss One that his love of anime inspired how some of the fights in the movie are presented. The breakout director said he wanted to show boxing matches in a way that had never been done before.

“With eight other movies before me that did boxing, you know we shot it every which way,” said Jordan. “Trying to find something new and fresh was a bit challenging, but I think that’s what kind of forced me to go outside, you know, forced me to go outside the creative box and pull from things that really inspired me.”

Jordan has pulled elements of anime into projects before. During an episode of Marvel’s What If...? series, the actor reprised his role as the Black Panther villain “Killmonger” and shows “Tony Stark” his plans for an automated combat drone that looks like a Gundam. In the interview, Jordan teased similar easter eggs in Creed III.

“I got some references in there and some cinematic views that will feel completely different than any of the other boxing films we’ve had so far,” he said. “We use iMax cameras as well. So, it gives you more of a immersive feeling, through sound and pictures and visuals. So, those are two things I wanted to bring to the table to really elevate the fighting.”

On top of the visuals, the debut director said this film’s foil to “Adonis Creed” is a childhood friend turned bitter rival. In other words, this fight is going to look and feel extremely personal.

Check out “The Feature Presentation Podcast Live Launch With Michael B. Jordan and Ashanti” to hear the full interview which includes Jordan’s tips to getting into shape for the film. The Feature Presentation Podcast is a brand-new podcast that covers movie and TV show reviews, throwback tributes, and celebrity interviews. Find them on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If you want to be sure you’re listening to the podcasts everyone else is checking out, iHeartRadio has you covered.   

Every Monday, iHeartRadio releases a chart showing the most popular podcasts of the week. Stay up to date on what’s trending by checking out the chart here. There’s even a chart just for radio podcasts featuring all your favorite iHeartRadio personalities like Bobby Bones, Elvis Duran, Steve Harvey, and dozens of others.