The “Rocky” legacy lives on in “Creed“.
Touted as both a spin-off from the original series and a sequel to 2006’s “Rocky Balboa”, “Creed” was a surprise hit with both critics and audiences. NPR even named it the best “Rocky” film movie since the original film.
Due to the tremendous success of “Creed”, Ryan Coogler instantly became one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. The film also successfully revived the franchise without completely rebooting it.
Speaking to Variety last night at the Golden Globes, MGM CEO Gary Barber revealed his plan to release a sequel to the spin-off in November 2017. “That’s my goal,” he said, adding that the date hasn’t been set in stone yet.
The unconfirmed release date would allow the sequel to open 2 years after the release of “Creed”.
However, good news only comes along with bad news.
Coogler may not return to the director’s chair because it’s been confirmed that he will direct Marvel‘s “Black Panther“. The superhero film is set to be released on 6th July 2018, a few months after the sequel’s targeted release date.
As such, he may not be involved in the sequel due to the possible scheduling conflict.
Sylvester Stallone, who reprised his role as Rocky Balboa in “Creed”, acknowledged the scheduling conflict when he was speaking to Variety in a recent cover story.
He said:
I know Ryan is probably going to be gone for a couple years. So there will be a quandary on: Do we work with another director and have Ryan produce, or do we wait?
“There’s a diminishing time acceptance of a sequel. Now they are cranking them out in a year,” he added.
The official plot for the sequel has yet to be announced, but Stallone said that one of the potential storylines may reunite his character with Apollo Creed, his rival-turned-friend who was killed off in 1985’s “Rocky IV”.
He explained:
RYAN HAS SOME IDEAS OF GOING FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND ACTUALLY SEEING ROCKY AND APOLLO TOGETHER. THINK OF “THE GODFATHER 2. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS THINKING OF, WHICH WAS KIND OF AMBITIOUS.
Another possible storyline would be a linear story with Michael B. Jordan‘s Adonis Johnson, the son of Apollo Creed, taking on another challenger.
So, what do you think? Will Coogler return to direct the “Creed” sequel? Sound off your thoughts in the comments box below.
