'Rocky' Spinoff to Star Sylvester Stallone, Film to Focus on Apollo Creed's Grandson
Sylvester Stallone's iconic character, Rocky Balboa, was last seen in 2006's "Rocky Balboa" in what viewers deemed as the perfect conclusion to the boxer's story. Now, a Rocky spinoff is in the works and according to Screenrant, the new film will focus on the grandson of one of Rocky's opponents, Apollo Creed.
The film, titled "Creed," will star Michael B. Jordan as Apollo's grandson who decides to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become a professional boxer. The movie is due to start production in January and will be shooting in Las Vegas and Philadelphia. Stallone will be reprising his role as Rocky, and he will serve as a mentor to the young boxer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, real-life boxers Tony Bellew and Andre Ward are in negotiations to costar in "Creed." Bellew, who is an Amateur Boxing Association of England champion, will reportedly portray the role of Creed's main opponent, a character named Pretty Ricky Porter. World Boxing Association champion Ward's role in the film has yet to be revealed.
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The film will be directed by Ryan Coogler, the same director who worked with Jordan in "Fruitvale Station." The film is said to be the first among Stallone's projects wherein he plans to revisit his past characters, as it has been reported that the actor is planning to film the fifth installment in the "Rambo" films. The movie could likewise be a vehicle for Jordan towards critical acclaim, as the actor is set to play Johnny Storm/ The Human Torch in 2015's reboot of "Fantastic Four" and 'Creed' will be his follow-up to the superhero film.
"Creed" is slated to premiere in 2016.
