The highly anticipated film, Creed III, has a new addition to its cast– Mila Davis-Kent. Davis-Kent, a deaf actress, represents the deaf community in her role as Amara Creed, the daughter of Adonis Creed in the film.
To amp up excitement for the newly released blockbuster Creed III, Michael B. Jordan and the cast members are hosting press conferences worldwide to give audience members insight into the newest film in the series.
At the Creed III press conference in Atlanta, Georgia, Michael B. Jordan talked about how Davis-Kent’s spirit challenged the cast to learn something beautiful. Representation is the word both actors wanted the deaf community to remember when watching the film.
According to the National Deaf Center, societal biases are the root of barriers for hard-of-hearing individuals. Biases such as low expectations and consideration of the deaf community impact their lives daily.
“This movie proves otherwise,” Davis-Kent said,“Deaf black people can look at this movie and see that they can be anything. Inclusivity means that we are a part of it. We want deaf people to watch this movie and know they can do it. This movie will teach other people deaf people are just like you.”
“I learned so much from Mila and her family. I get blessed every time I look at her,” Jordan said with gratitude. Jordan shared that this franchise is personal to him.
The trilogy’s final film is directed by Jordan, and compared to the first two films, Creed III shows a different side of Adonis Creed. He is now a husband to a hard of hearing Black woman and a father to a deaf daughter who uses ASL as a primary form of communication.
DéNajah Johnson, a third-year biology pre-med scholar who attends Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, shared a similar experience as the character Adonis Creed. Johnson grew up with her father being hard of hearing, like Amara Creed., which made her include ASL in her daily life. She said this movie makes her heart skip a beat.
“As a child of a deaf adult and seeing a Black deaf/hard of hearing individual on the big screen makes my heart skip. It’s one of those moments I want to scream ‘yes!’”Johnson said. “Though we still have a long way to go, society is moving in the right direction when it comes to the inclusion of Black deaf /hard of hearing individuals,” she added excitedly.
Creed III made history, becoming the box office’s first sports movie to exceed $100 million. It has also beat ticket sales for the newly released movie Scream 5.
Copy edited by Jadyn Barnett
