It is the spin-off I never knew that I really wanted! CREED! Sylvester Stallone will be returning to the ROCKY franchise, but in a totally different capacity than ever before. FRUITVALE STATION director Ryan Coogler had always expressed interest in the idea for a movie centered on the Apollo Creed character and now with the buzz around his debut film, his dream may be coming true.
Deadline is reporting that CREED will be written by Coogler and Aaron Covington with Coogler also set to direct. He is courting his FRUITVALE STATION star Michael B. Jordan to star in the title role with Sylvester Stallone returning as Rocky Balboa. But, this time, Rocky will be the grizzled veteran training Creed to the big time.
The intention is for Jordan to play the grandson of Apollo Creed (played in the early movies by Carl Weathers). Raised in an upper-crust home thanks to the ring riches earned by his grandfather, the young man doesn’t have to box and his family doesn’t want him to. Yet, he has the natural instinct and gifts and potential that made his grandfather the heavyweight champion until Rocky Balboa took his crown in 1979′s Rocky II. Creed’s grandson needs a mentor and turns to Balboa, who is out of boxing completely and not eager to return.
Balboa was Creed’s greatest opponent and later his best friend until that fateful moment when Balboa heeded Creed’s wishes and didn’t stop the fight against the Soviet fighter Drago (played by Dolph Lungdren in 1985′s Rocky IV) before the giant delivered what proved to be a fatal beating.
I love the idea of taking Rocky into a different direction while also keeping with the continuity of the series. Jordan is a hot commodity right now, as is Coogler, so if they want to get this made now is the perfect time. Tapping into the immortal death of Carl Weathers‘ character in ROCKY IV would be a great segue into showcasing the idolatry that a child can have for an elder.
The goal is to make the movie soon, which it would need to be if Jordan is still being considered for FANTASTIC FOUR and before Stallone gets going with THE EXPENDABLES 3. Either way, count me excited. This is definitely a good idea.