In 1976, Rocky Balboa appeared on the silver screen for the first time in Rocky and an underdog icon was born. Now, nearly five decades later, the franchise—not so much an underdog but a champion—boasts multiple sequels, with the latest, Creed III, releasing in theaters on March 3. The film, which is the ninth in the Rocky franchise and the third in the Creed series, centers on Adonis “Donnie” Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, as he confronts dark secrets from his past after and old friend-turned-foe reappears in his life after 18 years.

The film marks a series of firsts for the franchise; for star Michael B. Jordan, who’s portrayed Adonis since his breakout role in Creed in 2015, Creed III will be his directorial deb…