TheCreedmovie franchise injected new life into the connected cinematic universe that began withRockyin 1976, and with star Michael B. Jordan set to return forCreed 4, the new franchise has an opportunity to execute something that theRockyfranchise never did well. As early as the beginning ofCreed III,Adonis had entered the sunset period of his careeras a multi-time world champion. While the threequel saw him return to fighting shape in order to reclaim the title from his old friend-turned-rival, Damian Anderson, Adonis had all but retired from the sport.
TheRockyfranchise never progressed Balboa quite so neatly, as he was still the reigning champion at the beginning ofRocky IV. That gives theCreedfranchise an opportunity to explore ground previously untouched by any of theRockymovies. WhileAdonis may no longer be the focusof the franchise from an in-ring perspective, he could still be the emotional center to the movie if his character follows through on a tease fromCreed III.
Creed 4: Confirmation & Everything We Know So Far
With Michael B. Jordan expressing interest in expanding the franchise and making Creed 4, here’s everything we know so far.
Adonis Can Successfully Train A Successor In Creed IV Like Rocky Never Did
Adonis Will Likely Be Retired In Creed 4
Given the passage of time that theCreedmovies have stuck to, it seems likely that Adonis Creed will be fully retired by the timeCreed 4begins. While Adonis did in fact win his title back from Dame in their fight at Dodger Stadium, if the franchise jumps forward another few years as it did betweenCreed IIandCreed III, Adonis will almost certainly not be the champion anymore, and will likely be out of professional fighting. That gives Adonis the opportunity to take onan entirely new story arc: that of trainer and mentor.
2015
$40 million
$173.6 million
95%
89%
2018
$50 million
$214.1 million
83%
80%
2023
$75 million
$276.1 million
88%
Creed IIIalready started to lay the groundwork for Adonis as a successful trainer, as he was deep in the training of his protégé, Felix Chavez. While Dame made sure that Chavez never had his title fight against Viktor Drago, Adonis could finish that arc and come intoCreed 4as the trainer/promoter for the reigning champ, Chavez. With enough of a time jump, he could also act as the trainer for his daughter Amara Creed, who hasalready been teased as Adonis' replacement. Regardless of who he works with, Adonis successfully training a new fighter would be a plot that the Rocky franchise never carried out.
Rocky’s Only Apprentice In The Rocky Movies Gave The Franchise Its Worst Film
Rocky Trained Tommy Gunn In Rocky V
To be clear, theRockyfranchise made an earnest attempt at a Rocky-as-trainer plot withRocky V. The 1990 sports drama saw Rocky stripped of both his fortune and his fighting ability; Rocky goes bankrupt, while also being forced into retirement due to a brain condition. As a result, he moves back to his old neighborhood andreopens Mighty Mick’s Gym, hoping to take on that trainer role himself. He trains a young fighter named Tommy Gunn, and after a convoluted narrative unravels, Rocky wins a street fight against his own protégé.
TheCreedfranchise has the opportunity to take another shot at that narrative, and have Adonis successfully train a new generation of fighter.
Rocky Vis almost universally recognized as the franchise’s worst movie, as both fans and critics found it uninteresting and loaded with characters that don’t endear themselves to the audience.Tommy Gunn as a character is a huge misfire, and while the notion that Rocky would eventually take the place of Mickey was certainly welcome, the execution was disastrous. TheCreedfranchise has the opportunity to take another shot at that narrative, and have Adonis successfully train a new generation of fighter, just as Rocky eventually did.
Rocky’s True Apprentice Was Only Introduced Decades After Rocky V
His Real Apprentice Was Adonis Himself
The notion thatCreed 4could transform Adonis from a world champion to a seasoned trainer is an exciting one, consideringthe franchise has already successfully executed the premise. The real protégé of the Rocky Balboa character was actually Adonis himself, and it was perhaps the best thing to happen to the character since the original underdog narrative ofRocky. Ryan Coogler’s 2015 legacy spin-off was celebrated by both fans and critics, and Sylvester Stallone actually earned an Academy Award nomination for his work as the retired yet wise fighter-turned-trainer.
Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work inCreed, which was the first such nomination since he received two for he originalRocky, for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.
While all theCreedmovies have been met with positive acclaim,the emotional impact that Coogler was able to wring out of the Rocky character has never been matched. With an actor of Michael B. Jordan’s caliber set to undergo a similar transformation from champion to trainer,Creed 4could wind up one of the strongest entries in the connected franchise.
Creed
TheCreedfranchise, a continuation of theRockyseries, centers on Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed, as he rises in the boxing world under the mentorship of Rocky Balboa. The series explores Adonis’s personal growth, relationships, and rivalries.Creed(2015),Creed II(2018), andCreed III(2023) combine intense boxing drama with character-driven storytelling, with Michael B. Jordan leading as both star and director of the latest installment. The series is praised for bringing new energy to theRockylegacy, with further sequels and spin-offs under consideration.
