To the surprise of many (and the joy of a select few), the Rocky franchise will continue on into its seventh film. Deadline reports that this new Rocky picture, to be titled Creed, will avoid the insanity of putting a 67-year-old Sylvester Stallone back in the ring, and revolve around the grandson of Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers’ character from the original film. But never fear- Stallone will still return, although now solely as a mentor to the younger Creed.
And as it turns out, one of those select few that craved another Rocky is Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler, who will be helming the film. Creed is apparently Coogler’s dream project, and it was his enthusiasm that drove MGM and Stallone to take part (as well as his Fruitvale star Michael B. Jordan, who is currently in talks to play the younger Creed). According to Deadline, the story will find this new Creed raised in the lap of luxury thanks to the success of his grandfather. He longs to cast aside material wealth and become a great pugilist like grandpa was, but his family disagrees. Presumably, with the help of an aging Stallone, he’ll get his shot.
While churning out another Rocky is about as close as you can get to actually beating a dead horse, the inclusion of Coogler and Jordan makes this sequel sound a little more promising than Rocky Balboa did. Perhaps that new blood will make it a hit; maybe even a big enough one to garner a few Oscars. At that point- who knows? Maybe more sequels, and then a whole new spinoff series featuring the grandson of whoever Jordan fights in this one.