Michael B. Jordan didn't just play a boxer. He basically built a temple to the sport and then invited us all inside to watch him bleed. If you've been following the "Creed-verse"—a term Jordan actually uses now—you know that what started as a Rocky spin-off has morphed into something way more complex.
Honestly, nobody expected a seventh movie in the Rocky lineage to actually be good. We’d seen the formula. The underdog, the training montage, the sweat-soaked finale. But when Jordan stepped into the ring as Adonis Creed in 2015, everything shifted.
It wasn’t just the name on the trunks. It was the way Jordan carried the legacy.
The Directorial Leap in Creed III
By the time the third movie rolled around in 2023, Jordan wasn't just hitting the speed bag. He was calling the shots. Taking the director's chair for Creed III was a massive gamble. Think about it: you're starring in a multi-million dollar franchise, you're in the best shape of your life, and now you have to worry about lens flare and catering?
He pulled it off.
Jordan has mentioned in recent interviews that he felt his "ambition intersected" with the right moment. He’d spent years watching Ryan Coogler and Denzel Washington. He was a sponge. For Creed III, he brought in anime-inspired fight choreography—something we’d never really seen in a gritty Western boxing drama. That "void" sequence during the final fight? That was pure Jordan. It was his way of saying that the franchise didn't need Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa to survive.
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It was a bold move. Some fans hated that Rocky wasn't in the corner, but the box office didn't care. The movie raked in over $275 million.
That Insane Michael B. Jordan Creed Workout
Let’s talk about the physique. You don’t get shoulders like that by accident.
Jordan’s trainer, Corey Calliet, is basically the architect of the Adonis look. For the first film, Jordan trained for an entire year. By the third, they had it down to a science, but the intensity actually went up because Jordan had to balance the physical toll with the mental load of directing.
The routine wasn't just "lifting heavy things." It was a brutal mix of:
- Bodybuilding volume: High reps to get that "pop" on camera.
- HIIT and Boxing: To make sure he didn't just look like a bodybuilder but moved like a light-heavyweight.
- The "Cheat" Secret: Jordan is famously obsessed with cheesecake. He’d have one cheat meal a week to keep his sanity—and surprisingly, it helped his muscles look fuller on camera by replenishing glycogen.
He was eating six meals a day. Mostly ground turkey, chicken, rice, and greens. It sounds boring because it is. But that’s the discipline required to look like a literal statue.
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What’s Actually Happening with Creed 4?
If you're looking for a release date, don't hold your breath for 2026.
While Michael B. Jordan has confirmed that Creed 4 is "eventually, definitely" happening, he's currently buried in other projects. He’s been in the UK working on The Thomas Crown Affair remake. He’s also coming off the heat of Sinners, his latest collaboration with Ryan Coogler.
He told Variety recently that he doesn't want to be "getting punched in the face for the next 15 years." That’s fair. The man is 38. His knees probably aren't what they were in Fruitvale Station.
So, what does the future look like?
- The Amara Spin-off: Amazon is moving forward with a TV series focused on Adonis’s daughter, Amara (played by Mila Davis-Kent).
- The Creed-verse: There have been whispers of a Drago spin-off and even an anime series.
- Adonis as the Mentor: Expect the next film to see Adonis in the "Rocky" role—the elder statesman of the gym rather than the guy taking 12 rounds of punishment.
Why We Still Care
The magic of the Michael B. Jordan Creed era is that it feels personal. It’s not just a "boxing movie." It’s a story about a guy trying to outrun his father’s shadow, only to realize he has to embrace it.
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Jordan isn't just an actor for hire here. He’s the guardian of the brand. He’s making sure that even if he isn't the one wearing the gloves, the spirit of the franchise stays intact.
If you want to train like Adonis or just understand how he transformed his career, the takeaway is simple: consistency. Whether it's the 4:00 AM gym sessions or the decades-long plan to become a director, Jordan plays the long game.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Fitness Enthusiasts:
- Don't Rush the Transformation: Jordan took a full year of training before the first Creed even started filming. Real results take time.
- Hybrid Training is Key: If you want the "boxer look," you can't just lift weights. You need explosive movements and high-intensity cardio to lean out.
- Watch the Influences: To appreciate Creed III more, look into the anime Hajime no Ippo. Jordan used it as a direct reference for the fight scenes.
- Stay Tuned to Amazon Prime: That’s where the "Creed-verse" is officially expanding with the Amara series and the Delphi project.
The ring might be empty for now, but the lights aren't going down anytime soon.