Fresh off being named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2020, Michael B. Jordan is set to direct Creed III. His on-screen love interest in the franchise, Tessa Thompson, confirmed the new gig in an interview with MTV News where she couldn’t help but poke fun at MBJ’s illustrious new title. Although, she says she hasn’t talked to him about it yet, “because I’m going to pretend it hasn’t happened,” she is planning on using it as ammo when he’s got his director hat on. “I’m just going to tell him to dial down the sexiness,” she says. Let us know how that works out Tessa.
Creed III will be Michael’s directorial debut. It’s a bold coming out party considering this isn’t a small indie pic. 2015’s Creed made $175M at the box office, and 2018’s sequel made $214M. And don’t forget this trilogy is technically a continuation of the Rocky franchise, or are we calling it a spin-off? Either way, he’s being trusted with a billion dollar IP. I guess he can always call up Ryan Coogler for tips? Not only are they BFFs, but Ryan wrote and directed the first Creed film, which was only his second feature ever and directed Michael in Fruitvale Station, and Black Panther. It was announced back in 2017 that MBJ would make his directorial debut, adapting the novel The Stars Beneath Our Feet for the big screen. It’s unclear if that project is still in development, but shortly after that announcement, Michael credited Coogler for giving him the self-confidence to direct.
"To see somebody my age taking care of however many hundreds of millions of dollars [Black Panther] is, it's inspiring. It lets me know that I can do that as well.”
I love how this announcement is coming during his reign as Sexiest Man Alive. Weirdly, it made me think of an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race from ten years ago, season 3 episode 3, during the judges’ critiques, Michelle Visage told Carmen Carrera to “stop relying on that body.” The moment has became one of the most quotable callbacks in Drag Race herstory, but tell me it isn’t true? Michael B. Jordan’s not really interested in relying on his rock-hard abs, or his dimples, or his well-mannered good-boy charm, when he totally could and we wouldn’t hold it against him, but he doesn’t want to coast through his entire career. That’s why he’s judicious in the projects he’s been choosing to act in, produce, and now also direct. And don’t forget, he’s already been in the game for 20 years, so if not now, when?
Tessa Thompson, who was actually sitting down with MTV News, alongside co-star Nnamdi Asomugha to chat about their new film Sylvie's Love, revealed the third film won’t start shooting until later in 2021. Another guy could be be the Sexiest Man Alive by then, she jokingly offered, before adding, “It could be Nnamdi.” Which made for a really cute interview sound bite, with Nnamdi Asomugha chuckling adorably, but also yes? PLEASE. Nnamdi’s been hot, but he’s getting some serious bonus points for the love story he and Tessa have brought to the screen in Sylvie's Love. If you read yesterday’s site open, you know he’s got Lainey’s vote.
