Some of Sylvester Stallone‘s best work as an actor, a writer, and a director has been in the Rocky film series. And while Rocky Balboa‘s days in the ring are over, Stallone is taking the reins of the spinoff series with Creed 2. Stallone is not only reprising his role as Rocky for the eighth time, he’ll also write and direct the sequel!
Via ComingSoon, Stallone revealed that he is taking over the franchise from Creed director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Coogler wasn’t able to return to direct the sequel, but he will remain with the sequel as an executive producer.
Stallone has previously hinted that the Creed sequel could once again deal with the events of Rocky IV by reintroducing Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago and possibly using Drago’s son as an opponent for Adonis Creed, who will once again be played by Michael B. Jordan. There is definitely some dramatic potential in Adonis getting a chance to avenge his father in the ring. But the first Creed was such an emotionally rich journey for both Adonis and Rocky that the sequel doesn’t necessarily have to jump into that story. There’s plenty of material to mine before that happens, if it comes to pass.
As much as we love the original Rocky films, they had some silly moments (like the robot butler in Rocky IV) that should probably be avoided in Creed 2 and any potential sequels. That said, perhaps the original Rocky movies were onto something about the future of boxing. The Rocky vs. Thunderlips battle from Rocky III kind of seems like a precursor to the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight from earlier this year. Perhaps Creed could eventually step into the ring with a MMA fighter.
What do you want to see in Creed 2? Step into the ring in our comment section below!
Images: MGM
