Even when he’s not working with old pals such as Arnold Schwarzenegger in Escape Plan or the Expendables films, Sylvester Stallone is still raiding former glories for new material. He has MGM working up Rocky spin-off Creed for Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler and that film’s rising star, Michael B. Jordan.
According to Deadline, Coogler – who is a hot property off the back of his successful indie drama – was excited about directing the story of Apollo Creed’s grandson, a young man whose family has tried to keep him away from the ring but whose natural talents as a pugilist draw him there anyway.
Stallone, who has been happy to carry the Rocky flame for years, is playing Balboa as a man who has left the world of boxing behind and has no real desire to return until he meets the new protégé.
The original Creed, of course, was played by Carl Weathers, and served as the big rival to Rocky in the first two films. The two eventually became close friends, until Dolph Lundgren’s Ivan Drago killed Creed in Rocky IV. So you can understand why Rocky might be a little concerned about his grandson putting on the gloves.
Coogler is writing the script now with Aaron Covington and Jordan is in talks to play the titular boxer. Given the talent on display in Fruitvale Station, we’re actually excited about this one, more than we might be for yet another straight Rocky film…
Meanwhile, why not check out Stallone talking Escape Plan on the videblogisode all about this year’s San Diego Comic-Con? It also features Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright, Zoe Saldana and some guy called Hiddleston. You know you want to…