Production is officially underway for Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures (MGM) and Warner Bros. Pictures’ Creed II in Philadelphia, as Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther) and Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) return to star in their respective roles.
Creed II continues the Rocky saga as the sequel to the 2015 hit film Creed, as the illegitimate son of Apollo, Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa return to the ring, both literally and metaphorically, as the first film saw Rocky and Adonis both fighting the toughest opponents they had ever known. Creed collected $170 million at the worldwide box office.
Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) who directed the first film, will return to the franchise as executive producer, with Stephen Caple Jr. (The Land) helming the project as director.
Coogler commented on the production, saying, “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.”
Caple Jr. also commented, stating, “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.”
Directed from an original screenplay penned by Stallone based on characters from the original franchise, the film will is produced by Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton and Stallone. Coogler, Jordan and Guy Riedel will executive produce. Filming will take place primarily in Philadelphia with additional locations in New Mexico.
Creed II will center around the return of the Drago family, with Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables) returning to the role of Ivan, as his son Viktor Drago will look to form a fierce rivalry with Adonis, proving to be his toughest challenge yet. Creed II is set for release internationally 21st November 2018.
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