Making Creed IV has to be one of the biggest no-brainers in Hollywood. After all, Creed III grossed a robust $156 million domestically, making it the biggest film in the franchise. The gang behind the well-reviewed movie is currently doing the awards circuit, and sure enough, producer Irwin Winkler is teeing up a Creed IV. At a recent Deadline Contenders event, Winkler promised a fourth movie was on the way, saying, “We have a really good story [and] a really good plot. We got a little delayed because of the strikes, but about a year from now we’re going into pre-production.”
Winkler also confirmed that star Michael B. Jordan, who directed Creed III to great acclaim, would return to direct the next film. “He did such a great job — he was comfortable with the camera.” Of course, this isn’t the first time there’s been talk of another Creed movie. When the last film opened, Jordan, in interviews, was teasing a potential Creed-verse, with spinoffs for various characters and more. While that’s yet to come to fruition, a new film makes a ton of sense, given how thoroughly invested in the characters fans are. Many fans loved the addition of Jonathan Majors as Damian Anderson. Despite the actor’s legal troubles, it’s not without question that he could re-appear, especially with it a common thing in the Rocky/ Creed series for antagonists to become friends.
However, the big question on everyone’s mind is whether or not Sylvester Stallone will return as Rocky Balboa. The character is alive and well in the “Creed-verse,” so a return is not out of the question. However, Stallone has been in a fight behind the scenes with the Winkler family over the rights to the character (which – let’s not forget – he created), and while tensions seem to have cooled somewhat, it seems unlikely Sly would return to the fold right away. That said, anything can happen, and Jordan and Winkler are smart enough to know that the return of Rocky would be welcomed with open arms by Creed and Rocky fans alike.