I was a bit of a latecomer to Sylvester Stallone's ROCKY franchise, but after devouring each and every film in preparation for the release of CREED, I was immediately kicking myself for not watching them sooner. The upcoming sequel to CREED is slated to hit theaters later this year and MGM and Warner Bros. have announced that production has officially kicked off on CREED II. We caught a few set-photos and video from the production last month, but you know, now it's official!
Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson will be reprising their roles in the continuation of the ROCKY saga, which has been scripted by Stallone and will be directed by Steven Caple Jr. (THE LAND). Ryan Coogler will still remain involved as an executive producer on CREED II, and said the following in a statement:
When I wrote and directed Creed, I wanted to tell a human story about a family from a new perspective, while also paying homage to the Rocky characters we’ve all grown up knowing and loving. I’ve known Steven was an amazing filmmaker since our days at USC film school together, so I can’t wait to see what he, Sly, Mike and Tessa bring to this next chapter.
Steven Caple Jr. added, "It's an honor to be a part of the franchise and work with such a thoughtful team. I got involved because I've always been a Rocky fan and I enjoy stories with heart and substance. But when Ryan put his touch on Creed I felt another level of connection to the franchise. It started to feel personal for many different reasons. This next Creed is a tale beyond the boxing ring and dives deep into family, legacy, and fears. I'm excited to share my view and collaborate with the talented cast and crew." The sequel will also see the return of Phylicia Rashad as Mary Anne, Wood Harris as Tony 'Little Duke' Burton, and Andre Ward as Danny ‘Stuntman’ Wheeler from the last film, with Florian “The Big Nasty” Munteanu playing Viktor Drago and Dolph Lundgren returning as Ivan Drago. It will be tough to top the first film, and although I'm not entirely certain whether bringing Drago back is a good idea, I know damn well that they've already got my ticket.
The official synopsis for CREED II:
Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.
Sylvester Stallone also took to Instagram to tease the official start of production on CREED II, as well as show off his trailer.
CREED II is set for a November 21, 2018 release.