Jonathan Majors spills about real-life references with his ‘Creed 3’ character
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Let's be honest, right now only one name surrounds us and that is, Jonathan Majors. Be it Marvel or Michael B. Jordan's 'Creed 3,' Majors has been doing exceptionally well for himself in the context of his career. Speaking of 'Creed 3,' the sports drama film which is directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin has been the talk of the town as it has been doing big numbers at the box office over the opening weekend.
The film is the sequel to 2018's 'Creed II,' the third in the 'Creed' series, and the overall ninth installment in the 'Rocky' film series. It also stars Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad. Sylvester Stallone’s absence in 'Creed III' marks the first time in nine films and 47 years that a movie in the 'Rocky' film franchise does not feature Rocky Balboa, although he still serves as a producer. The reason behind Stallone’s departure is twofold: He wasn’t the biggest fan of 'Creed 3’s creative direction, and his clash against longtime franchise producer Irwin Winkler remains ongoing.
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What is Jonathan Majors' real-life connection to the character?
Damian is the main villain of 'Creed 3,' but that doesn't mean he can't be a relatable and sympathetic figure. While Majors can't relate to being a world champion boxer for obvious reasons, he has found some points of connection with Damian, as he looked back to his time in juvenile detention. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Majors revealed how his own childhood helped him figure the character out.
He said, "Although I was never incarcerated, I did deal with juvenile detention, in-school suspension, expulsions… all the way up until adulthood. So I understood that, you know? But my big connection to it was the fact that the man who raised me was an ex-con, as gross as the word is. He had been incarcerated for 15 years before we found each other. I believe that his sole purpose in my life was to get me to adulthood."
"My mother and he parted ways, but he still remained… I mean, he’s my stepfather. To this day, I see him as my stepdad, you know? So I understood, second-hand, the incarcerated mind. I witnessed it, what that development is... I spent my time as a boy on a farm and in the hood, as we say in the States – you know, in council housing. That’s my upbringing, period. So I understand that hunger, and the engine it takes to be, quote-unquote, 'world champion'. That’s a big engine, and that takes a lot of horsepowers. I connected on that – to show people one’s worth; to be worthy, you know?"
Majors and Jordan's next
Jonathan Majors and Michael B. Jordan are busy promoting “Creed III,” but the pair are hoping to work together again soon in 'De Niro and Pacino'. Regardless, m recently, both 'Creed' stars have given villainous turns in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Jordan reprising his role as Killmonger in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' and Majors premiering as the latest Marvel big bad, Kang the Conqueror, in 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.'
'Creed 3' has hit theaters on March 3, 2023. You can watch it in theaters near you.