The confirmedCreed 4may be the fourth film in theCreedseries and the tenthmovie in theRockyfranchise, but its story can prove that the long-running boxing franchise is far from over. Sylvester Stallone starred in and wrote the firstRockymovie, which was released in 1976. After the firstRockymovie was both a commercial and critical success, and even won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, a sequel was greenlit. Almost 50 years later, theRockyfranchise is still going strong, andCreed 4will be the next film in the boxing series.
TheRockyseries has had many ups and downs over the years, but a major high point for the franchise was when the firstCreedmovie was released in 2015.CreedfollowsMichael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed, the son of legendary boxer Apollo Creed from the original films, who sought out the training of Rocky Balboa.Creedrevived theRockyfranchise, which had previously been ended because Stallone aged out of the role.TheCreedmovies have been a great addition to theRockyfranchise, and theupcomingCreed 4will prove that the series does not need to end anytime soon.
Creed 4 Should Be About Adonis Training A Successor
A Younger Boxer Could Take Over From Michael B. Jordan In Creed 4
The firstCreedmovie followed a young and eager Adonis Creed training with Rocky Balboa to become one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division.Creed IIfeatured Adonis at the peak of his career, as he had managed to become the heavyweight champion of the world.Creed IIIthen made a surprising change, as Adonis retired from boxing in the film. Eventually,he came out of retirement to fight his childhood friend Damian Anderson, but theending ofCreed IIInever revealed whether Adonis was going to retire once again.
Instead of fighting another opponent inCreed 4, Adonis could instead train someone else.
Creed 4has been confirmed and Michael B. Jordan will once again be reprising his role of Adonis Creed. However, it is currently unclear whether Adonis will be an active boxer inCreed 4. Instead of fighting another opponent inCreed 4, Adonis could instead train someone else.The ending ofCreed IIIteased that Adonis' daughter, Amara, would become a boxer, but she may still be too young to center the entire movie around. Therefore,Creed 4could also focus on a boxer who trains with Adonis at his gym.
Adonis Having A Successor Would Set Up Sequels About A New Character
Creed 4 Could Begin A New Era In The Rocky Franchise
Creed IIIcommitted to the idea that Adonis was a boxer at the end of his career, so it would not be very believable if he decided to come out of retirement once again inCreed 4. Even though Jordan is still quite young in real life, his character is clearly looking for ways to move beyond just being a fighter.Creed IIIalready proved that Adonis is a skilled promoter, just like his father before him. However, Apollo Creed was also a coach for Balboa inRocky III. Therefore,Creed 4could similarly showcase that Adonis would be a great coach for another boxer.
Adonis’ Career Means Creed 4 Will Run Into The Same Problem That Most Rocky Sequels Faced
Creed IV runs the risk of following a similar problematic narrative path as the Rocky franchise, and it’s related to Creed’s role in the boxing world.
SinceCreed IIIestablished that Adonis is beyond his prime, it’s unlikely that the Creed franchise can make many more movies with Jordan in the leading role without ignoring certain aspects of the third film. This means thatCreed 4is the perfect movie to showcase Adonis training a younger boxer. Whoever this boxer is could take the reins of the franchise from Michael B. Jordan, just like how he did with Sylvester Stallone.
Rocky’s Themes Of Legacy Makes It Perfect To Receive New Sequels
Adonis Has Always Cared About His Legacy
As seen through Rocky Balboa, Apollo Creed, and now Adonis Creed, a boxer’s legacy is very important to them. Legacy became an even more important theme after the firstCreedfilm, asAdonis has always been a character who tries to live up to the accomplishments of his father. This is something he really struggled with in the first three movies, but by the end ofCreed III, there is no doubt that Adonis is as talented as his father was.
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Creed III (2023)
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Adonis started theCreedseries as a young and oftentimes very immature boxer, but he is now a wiser person. Since getting married and having a daughter, Adonis has realized that he has to make smarter decisions. Most of his mentors, such as Mary Anne and Rocky, are gone now, soCreed 4presents the perfect opportunity for Adonis to take on a mentorship role and teach someone else all the valuable lessons that they taught him.
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.
