EXCLUSIVE: Tessa Thompson Opens Up About Adonis & Bianca’s Relationship in Creed III

Creed III hits theaters tomorrow, March 3 and we got the chance to hear from one of the stars of the movie, Tessa Thompson. During the chat, Thompson talked working with director, Michael B. Jordan on the movie, Adonis and Bianca’s relationship and so much more. Check out what she had to say below.

You’ve now been directed by 3 different directors over your course in this series, how did Michael approach Bianca different than Steven [Caple Jr.] or Ryan [Coogler]?

“I think something I’ve always really enjoyed about making these films, and that began with Ryan and our work together, is I feel like I’ve always been invited to really be a co-author. And to be so a part of the collaborative process of building Bianca together with them. So it feels like I’ve gotten to continue to do that. I think the interesting thing over making these films over the course of nine years is the ways in which our growth, our personal growth as people gets to be communicated inside of the characters in a way.

And that is a very unique thing. I mean, we’re separate in a way, but I think some of the things that our characters are contending with, and some of the things that Mike [Jordan] and I are contending with personally, we get to explore in the context of these films. That’s something that is really a gift. You’re always hoping to get to make films, and to be working on something that is also tasking you to ask questions of yourself. And I think in terms of some of the things that we’re unpacking in this, which has to do with, like, what does it look like to have successful partnership inside of your dreams?

That’s definitely a question we ask ourselves. The two of us. We get to ask inside of the context of making these films. Like, what does your personhood look like when it’s not entirely tethered to what you do in the world or what you make, or your success. What is success like those really central human questions that I think we’re in a point in our lives where we’re really asking, we get to also put inside of this script. Or, what does it look like to unpack masculinity? What does friendship look like? What does Black brotherhood look like inside of spaces that typically are competitive?”

How did you balance the strength and the delicateness of your character?

“I actually was really interested in this time around getting to see a softening from her. I think something that’s always been interesting, and I remember Ryan and I would have conversations on the first one, was like chipping away at this exterior that was outwardly very, very tough and guarded, in a way. Over the course of the films, we’ve seen that soften. I think motherhood is something that has softened her tremendously. But I felt very grateful because there was an idea that I had to Mike of him saying to Bianca that your emotions, for example, come so easy to you.

And this idea of her actually being, like, no, it’s actually challenging. This is challenging for me. It’s not easy for me. And I think so often there is this idea, particularly of Black womanhood, that has to do with strength. That we are the pillars of our community. That we are the backbones of our family. That we lift our men up. And that’s beautiful. That is very often true. It is not, not hard-earned. You know? It’s not easy. And I really wanted her to have the opportunity to say that. I felt very grateful that Mike felt open to it, and was like, ‘Can I try this?’ and that it gets to exit in the film. Because for me, I feel like that, it feels like an honest portrayal of her that she gets to also unravel some.”

What do you love about the Adonis/Bianca partnership?

“The truth is, those partnerships can come in any form. With Adonis and Bianca, it happens to come in the form of romantic love. They’re co-parents. But that’s not for everybody. Not everybody has that. Not everybody wants that. I think the thing that I love about these films so much, and particularly in the first one, you really get to see Rocky and Adonis and Bianca make a little chosen family, you know? That is the reality for a lot of folks.

And I think what I love about these films is they’re about relationships. The relationship between mentor and mentee. The relationship between father and son, whether chosen or blood. The relationship between parents. The relationship between, you know, folks that have history, that can stand to learn from each other and unpack their trauma. I love that I get to exist in this with Mike and that we get to push each other and love each other in the context of these films, and individually as friends. But I think it’s really about whoever your partner is, whoever is in the ring, the proverbial ring with you. And that can take on so many forms. And sometimes, it’s just you in the ring alone, and that’s okay too. Like, sometimes it’s gonna be that. And that’s what I love about these films.”

Photo credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for MGM Studios

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity