This Q&A is part of Us Weekly's 2015 Holiday Movie Preview.
Ring of fire: In Creed, the seventh film in the Rocky series (in theaters Nov. 25), retired champ Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) trains the son of former rival Apollo Creed, Adonis (Michael B. Jordan). Jordan, who at 28 has starred in films like Fruitvale Station and Fantastic Four, talks fashion, Drake, and his insane workout routine (hello, biceps!) with Us Weekly.
Us Weekly: What did you learn from working with Stallone?
Michael B. Jordan: Sly is savvy! He actually gave me some style tips. I’m a man who loves wearing suits, but he has more suits than I do. I remember one time he came in just completely overdressed. He just completely blew me out of the water. I was like, “This is never happening again!” And he was like, “You always need to come prepared.” So from then on, whenever I’m at an event with him, I’m coming correct!
Us: Did he give you any boxing advice?
MBJ: He taught me how to throw punches and hit me in my chest a couple times. Old dog’s still got a little bite to him!
Us: You were in great shape before this movie, but did you have to kick it up a notch to play Adonis?
MBJ: It differed from week to week, but some days it would be boxing and weight lifting. Some days it would just be boxing and cardio. I worked out two to three times a day. I ate five to six times a day, every two and a half hours. I drank about a gallon and a half of water every day. Just doing that consistently for about 10 or 11 months, you see a physical change!
Us: What music made your gym playlist?
MBJ: I was listening to three albums on constant repeat: A$AP Rocky’s At. Long. Last A$AP, Drake’s If You're Reading This It’s Too Late, and Big Sean’s new album Dark Sky Paradise.
Us: Do you still box for fun? Or did you totally burn out?
MBJ: I still box! It gives me peace of mind sometimes.
Us: Tessa Thompson (Dear White People) stars as your love interest in Creed. What was it like playing opposite her?
MBJ: Tessa is amazing. She’s such a giving actress, and she’s collaborative. We definitely had a lot of chemistry, so she made it easy to go back and forth and find the creative moments between these two characters.
Us: Do you consider yourself a lover or a fighter?
MBJ: Both! I’m definitely a lover, but I fight when I have to — for something or someone.
Us: You’ve had so many great roles already. What’s next for you?
MBJ: Everything! I just directed my first commercial. I can’t tell you what it’s for yet, but it was my first time behind the camera, and I’m really excited about that. I’m hoping to develop a lot of graphic novels and television shows and films and animation. I’ve got my hands in a lot of different things!
