Michael Phillips: ‘Creed III’ is ‘right on time,’ says stars Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors

CHICAGO — The first time Michael B. Jordan visited Chicago on a promotional tour, the movie was “Fruitvale Station,” written and directed by Ryan Coogler.

Back then Jordan and Coogler were basically each other’s entourage. Not yet a well-known actor, let alone a well-known star, Jordan toured with the first-time feature writer-director in support of Coogler’s tight, propulsive breakthrough movie. That was 10 years ago, meaning: two years before Jordan and Coogler reteamed for the terrific “Creed” (2015). And five years before the billion-dollar phenomenon of “Black Panther” (2018).

It’s different now. Two weeks ago, Jordan came back through town, this time with “Creed III,” and now as superstar and director. The third “Creed” outing, the ninth in the overall, nearly 50-year-old franchise begun with Sylvester Stallone and “Rocky,” marks Jordan’s feature directorial debut.

This time Jordan traveled with his co-star Jonathan Majors, who plays Kang the Conqueror in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” He is very hot right now, and has been