Michael B. Jordan Shares How Creed III’s Fight Scenes Were Inspired By Anime, And I’m Now Seeing Them In A Totally Different Way

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As a devoted fan, I must say that the “Creed” series, initially born as a spin-off from the iconic “Rocky” films, remarkably found its unique identity with each passing film. Now, there’s talk of a fourth installment, which is truly exciting! One aspect that sets “Creed III” apart for me is the innovative choreography of fight sequences. Interestingly enough, these were inspired by anime, offering a fresh perspective when I watch these dynamic scenes.

In “Creed III,” Michael B. Jordan assumed the director’s role for the first time in the series without Sylvester Stallone. By taking this position, Jordan steered the boxing franchise towards a direction that likely wouldn’t have occurred in a traditional “Rocky” movie. During an interview with GQ, Johnson discussed the fight scenes in the film, which he had envisioned from the beginning. He aimed to incorporate his affinity for anime into these sequences, as reported by Jordan himself.

For quite some time, I’d been envisioning the fights in a way that felt almost like daydreams. These scenes were the ones I wasn’t particularly anxious about in the movie. I had a distinct picture of how I wanted to approach them and blend my affection for anime into the mix. In typical anime fashion, when two characters are engaged in a life-or-death battle, there’s usually a quiet, emotional dialogue happening within them. This conversation often takes place in an empty space, either completely dark or white, devoid of any distractions, where these two characters seem to converse subtly.

As a movie critic, I found the climactic bout between Adonis Creed and Damian Anderson in the third installment to be intriguingly enigmatic. The fight, initially filled with the electric energy of the crowd, mysteriously transitions into an eerie void, leaving only the two combatants and their symbolic struggle. The empty space served as a stark reminder that, at times, the true battle is not just physical but also a testament to one’s will.

In Creed III, I recall witnessing a scene that left me both astonished and impressed from a filmmaking perspective. Although the franchise has always been daring with its cinematography – the single-shot fight sequence from the first movie being an outstanding example – this was something entirely unexpected. It seemed to blend elements of magical realism, which hadn’t been previously explored within the broader series.

Michael B. Jordan explained that the scene focused on the characters communicating using what he referred to as the movie’s “fourth language.” In this context, speaking without words seemed appropriate. He further elaborated…

In the relationship between Adonis and Damian, conversations about their problems were non-existent. Instead, they resorted to a place where they could work things out, which was through fighting. Our movie, Creed III, was unique as it was spoken in four languages – English, Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), and the fourth language being martial arts combat. Hence, their communication primarily took place through physical fights, and this is why elements of anime were incorporated into the storyline.

Although I’m not a connoisseur of anime, the comparison between Creed III and certain anime themes helped me understand Jordan’s directorial approach to language, which now seems quite clear. As he mentioned, the idea of an empty space or “void” is common in various anime productions, so it wasn’t surprising that many viewers made this connection. He elaborated on…

In numerous anime productions, you’ll find a concept often referred to as ‘the void.’ While enjoying the film, I hoped viewers could link this idea to their personal recollections and unique experiences with the void in various anime series, like Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Jujutsu Kaisen, or any other favorite. Essentially, if you’re an anime enthusiast, you might think, ‘Ah, I recall that from X, Y, and Z.’

Without a doubt, the fight scene stands out uniquely. Regardless, its underlying meaning remains clear within the storyline, whether or not one is aware of the anime inspiration. Re-watching it with this background information definitely adds a new dimension to it.

It’s intriguing to speculate what direction Michael B. Jordan might take with Creed IV, given his dual roles as star and director. Will there be more anime-inspired elements in the movie, or will he introduce fresh influences creatively? Only time will tell.

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2025-02-25 23:37