‘Creed III’ sets franchise record at international box office

‘Creed III’ opened on March 3 to record-breaking numbers. The film was only expected to open with around $34 to $40 million, yet pulled in over $100 million globally making it the biggest opening in the franchise and the best debut ever for a sports movie.

According to Deadline, ‘Creed III’ opened to numbers that are 109 percent ahead of the first ‘Creed’ and 25 percent ahead of ‘Creed II’.

It has officially overtaken Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’.

More on ‘Creed III’

‘Creed III’ is the third installment of the ‘Creed’ series and the ninth in the ‘Rocky’ franchise.

Directed by Michael B. Jordan, the story continues to follow boxer Adonis Creed, who remains at the height of his game, when an old friend, Damian, is released from prison and challenges Creed to a fight.

The film stars Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Florian Munteanu, Phylicia Rashad, and more.

Where is Sylvester Stallone?

With the movie’s release, many fans have noticed the absence of Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa), especially since his character made notable appearances in the first two ‘Creed’ films.

Apparently, Stallone disagreed with the creative direction of ‘Creed III’, which is much darker in tone than the rest of the ‘Rocky’ franchise.

Stallone told The Hollywood Reporter: “That’s a regretful situation because I know what it could have been. It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it. It’s a different philosophy – Irwin Winkler’s and Michael B. Jordan’s.”

“I wish them well, but I’m much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting beat up, but I just don’t want them going into that dark space. I just feel people have enough darkness,” Stallone explained.

This is the first of the nine ‘Rocky’ films that Stallone has not starred in.