Rocky and Creed fans will be excited to hear that the sequel to the hit 2015 spin-off has officially entered production.
Shooting commences in Philadelphia today with Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone reprising their roles as Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa, respectively.
Tessa Thompson, whose star is on the rise following her recent roles in Thor: Ragnarok and Annihilation, is back as Creed’s girlfriend Bianca while new to the cast are Florian “The Big Nasty” Munteanu as Viktor Drago and Dolph Lundgren, who is returning to the role of Ivan Drago which he initially played in Rocky IV.
Steven Caple Jr., who is directing the new movie with a script from Stallone, said, “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 [Coogler, director of the first Creed movie] 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.”
Producer Irwin Winkler said: “Ryan and Steven are voices for their generation and their shared vision for Creed has brought the Rocky franchise to an entirely new audience. We know audiences will continue to embrace the legacy that Sly created so many years ago.”
The official plot synopsis for Creed II reads:
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.
