All My Children alum Michael B. Jordan (ex-Reggie Porter) has already proven that he's a heavyweight in the world of acting, and now he's hoping to prove his skills as a director, as well. The star has signed on to helm the third installment of the Creed films, based on the iconic Rocky franchise.
Creed III will see Jordan pulling double duty, because in addition to directing, he is also returning to his role as Adonis "Creed" Johnson, son of Rocky Balboa's (Sylvester Stallone) former foe-turned-friend Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad are also expected to return for the third installment, written by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, and based on an outline by Ryan Coogler.
"Directing has always been an aspiration, but the timing had to be right. Creed III is that moment: a time in my life where I've grown more sure of who I am, holding agency in my own story, maturing personally, growing professionally, and learning from the Greats like Ryan Coogler, most recently Denzel Washington, and other top tier directors I respect -- all of which sets the table for this moment," Jordan says in a statement.
He continues, "This franchise and in particular the themes of Creed III are deeply personal to me. I look forward to sharing the next chapter of Adonis Creed's story with the awesome responsibility of being its director and namesake."
Adds Michael De Luca, MGM's Film Group Chairman, and Pamela Abdy, MGM's Film Group President: "Michael's vision for Creed III is incredibly exciting and will undoubtedly be an important contribution to the cannon of this storied franchise. We are thrilled to bring his directorial debut, and share this next chapter in the Creed story, to theaters next year."
Jordan starred as AMC's Reggie Porter from 2003 to 2006 before going on to star in feature films such as Creed, Black Panther, Fantastic Four, Without Remorse, and Fruitvale Station. He was recently crowned Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine and starred in a super sexy Alexa ad during this year's Super Bowl.
It's been a busy week for past and present soap stars landing non-soap roles: General Hospital's Maurice Benard has been tapped to play a real-life mobster; Multi-soap vet A. Martinez will star in the Michael Bay action film Ambulance; Y&R alum Sofia Pernas landed a role in the ABC comedy pilot Adopted; and B&B's Gina Rodriguez has not one but two upcoming Netflix projects.
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