Michael B. Jordan says he cast Canelo Alvarez in Creed III to 'stay true to sport of boxing'. Check out the trailer:
It was revealed last week that the Mexican icon would be starring in the long-awaited sequel.
The film centres on Jordan's character, Adonis Creed, who is riding high as the top dog in the boxing world.
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However, when old friend Damian Anderson resurfaces, having just come out of prison, Creed's world takes a turn as he sets his sights on taking his throne.
The synopsis reads: "After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life.
"When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring.
"The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose."
Speaking during a press conference about the upcoming movie, Jordan said he wanted to bring some authenticity to the trilogy.
And he said that while being a huge part of the history of boxing, Mexican culture rarely gets a mention.
The 35-year-old said: "You know, we just look back at the history of boxing, and Mexican culture is such a pillar within the sport.
"And I felt like there wasn't really a lot of representation throughout films in that type of way, and it just didn't seem like the reality I lived in.
"So I wanted to incorporate Mexican culture into into this film. You see Canelo's in this project as well. He plays Felix Chavez, and it's a character that I feel is strong, and it's good."
He added: "I just felt that there was a lack thereof, and that didn't seem truthful and honest to the sport of boxing, and I wanted to I wanted to kind of put that character there."
As well as shining a light on an aspect of boxing culture that he felt was missing, Jordan also opened up about why he wanted to direct the third movie.
He explained: "I think, for me, it was the perfect time. I finally got to this place in my career where I wanted to tell the story, and not just be in front of the camera, not just execute somebody else's vision and having a character that I've played twice before... to be able to tell the story of where I believe Adonis is that.
"And also, at 35 years old, I had a lot to say as a young man, you know, my life experiences and how I could actually share a piece of myself with the world through these characters and through the story."
On top of the technical side of actually having to act and direct, fans of the series will know that Jordan gets in some serious shape for the role. And this one is no different.
Discussing the training regime, he said he enjoyed the 'torturous' process.
"It's one of those things where, you know, I'm a little sick, I must have a problem," he said. "Because it's low key torture, but at the same time it's so much fun.
"The challenge of accomplishing it all, the multitasking nature of it to develop the story, trying to stay in shape, give all the departments what they individually need to kind of go do their job. It's really hard to put into words."
Jordan's work behind the camera also gave Jordan an appreciation of the famed training montage.
He joked: "The art of the training montage? Get any and everything you can, every push up, every speed bag moment.
"No, but seriously. What are the stakes? How is your character leaving the montage better than when he first started? I think I think that's a good one to stick to."
Topics: Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, US News, TV and Film
Dominic Smithers