The Creed legacy continues. Michael B. Jordan is once again set to pull double duty, starring and directing the upcoming Creed IV, series producer Irwin Winkler has confirmed. The news comes as no surprise given the resounding success of the previous film, which shattered box office records to become the highest-grossing instalment in the Rocky spinoff franchise.
In videos recently posted by Deadline on X, franchise producer Winkler spilled the beans, hinting that the next film in the long-running Creed franchise is in the works and the filming is likely to kick off in about a year.
“We are planning to do Creed IV right now,” Winkler revealed. Emphasising the quality of the upcoming instalment, he also mentioned, “We have a really good story (and) a really good plot. We got a little delayed because of the strikes, but about a year from now we’re going into pre-production.”
Besides the confirmation that Creed IV is in the works, little is known about either the film’s plot, cast, or expected release date. However, when asked about Michael B. Jordan’s potential return to the Rocky franchise as a director, Winkler shared the inside scoop, teasing, “I’m not supposed to say, but he will be.”
Marking a significant milestone in his career, Jordan not only directed Creed III but also reprised his iconic portrayal of Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the son of the legendary Apollo Creed from the original Rocky series. The movie’s impact was undeniable, securing the biggest domestic opening for a sports film, amassing an impressive USD$41.8 million at the domestic box office.
The Creed franchise serves as a continuation/spin-off of the Rocky saga, chronicling Adonis’s journey through the world of boxing, delving into the profound impact on his family and the legacy inherited from his father’s greatest rival, Rocky Balboa. Talking a bit more about the creative forces behind Creed III and Michael B. Jordan’s extensive involvement in the film, Winkler also reflected on the enduring strength and success of the Rocky franchise, to which Creed is intricately connected.
“Michael and the creative team had the beautiful vision from the start to create a wholly new and different experience for this movie,” Winker shared. “It had to be firmly cemented in what we all the Creed and Rocky movies for … it had to have great action, boxing, but we also really examined what kind of movie we were making. And a lot of that, those early days with Michael were spent crafting how we were looking at the Damian character, which is why I think everyone responded to the depth, not only on the page, but also on the screen. You spend half the movie having deep sympathy for him and understanding his vulnerability.”
No official release date for the fourth instalment of Creed has been revealed.
