Forget Kang, Jonathan Majors' Creed 3 Villain Is What We Want To See!

Jonathan Majors antagonist role in Creed 3 can prove his ability to play a villain better than his MCU role as Kang. Following on first two Creed movies, Creed 3 marks the directorial debut of Michael B. Jordan, who returns as Adonis Johnson with Majors portraying his old friend-turned-rival Damian Anderson. Creed 3 is not the only villain role Majors has on the way, with Majors portraying Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following his initial appearance as He Who Remains on Loki.

While his role as Kang in the juggernaut of the MCU is big deal, Majors already looks to be a very memorable villain in both the Creed franchise in the Creed 3 trailer. That is partially related to how much Majors' Damian stands apart from past antagonists in both the Rocky and the Creed franchises, movies that already had a natural predilection for great villains. Importantly, Majors himself demonstrates his talent as a very new kind of boxing foe in the series.

RELATED: Creed 3 Is More Important To The Franchise Than You Realize

Creed 3's Trailer Proves Jonathan Majors Is The Perfect New Villain

The trailer for Creed 3 (the first movie in the franchise not to feature Stallone) introduces Damian as a friend who shared the same rough childhood as Jordan\s Adonis and has recently been freed after 18 years in prison. Damian comes into conflict with Adonis through his apparent resentment of the kind of life he feels he was robbed of in never getting the same shot to become a professional boxer. These glimpses at Majors' performance in Creed 3's trailer offer a vivid showcase the strength he brings as Damian.

Majors has previously gained acclaim for his performance on Lovecraft Country, and his strength as a character actor brings Damian's bitterness towards Adonis to life. While past Rocky and Creed antagonists have often been motivated by pride or rage, such as the not-truly villainous Ivan Drago, Majors's portrayal of Damian seems to be one of the most sympathetic antagonists for both franchises with his emotional drive. That in itself is adding a welcome re-invigoration to the Creed films.

Why Jonathan Majors Is Exactly What The Creed Movies Need

The first two Creed movies were superb exercises in blending nostalgia with a new story, but with the absence of Sylvester Stallone's Italian Stallion, Creed 3 needs a new element to tell a compelling ongoing story with Adonis. Damian represents exactly that as a rival who watched his one-time close friend achieve great prosperity as his life took a different turn. Damian's envy as his driving motivation makes him a very humanized Creed antagonist, with Majors bringing great energy to both the dramatic and physical demands of Damian's story.

Michael B. Jordan has long since proven himself a tremendous screen presence as Adonis, Jordan even taking a real knockout on Creed. Adding to that, Jordan's directorial debut being made with Creed 3 adds more intrigue to where he plans to take Adonis's story, and Jonathan Majors' role as Damian is another change of course for the franchise. Neither Rocky nor Adonis have ever fought an opponent with the mindset Damian espouses, and Majors looks to be just the man to bring him to life as the kind of villain Creed 3 needs to keep the Creed franchise fresh.

Next: Creed 3 Trailer Surely Debunks That Big Jonathan Majors Villain Theory

Key Release Dates

• Creed 3

  Release Date:

  2023-03-03