Creed - A Rocky Balboa spinoff, Stallone to co-star

[tk13]

http://www.indiewire.com/article/mic...one-to-co-star

'Fruitvale' Duo Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler Re-Team For 'Rocky' Spinoff 'Creed'; Sylvester Stallone to Co-Star

What do you do once you make a successful independent film? Make a studio-driven blockbuster, of course. Deadline Hollywood is reporting the duo behind this year's Sundance winner "Fruitvale Station" is re-teaming for "Creed," a continuation of the "Rocky" franchise focusing on Apollo Creed's grandson. Coogler is set to direct and MGM is in talks with Michael B. Jordan for the lead role. Sylvester Stallone is set to return as the beloved Philadelphia fighter Rocky Balboa.

According to the report, the film is entirely Coogler's idea, calling the spinoff a "dream project." Coogler came up with the concept himself before getting in touch with Stallone through his agency. The veteran action star and director loved it, and the two then turned to MGM for financing. The studio came through, and now the original Academy Award-winning producers of "Rocky," Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, are even set to return.

Coogler's story focuses on Apollo Creed's grandson, a well-off young man who nevertheless turns to fighting because of the natural abilities bestowed on him from his one-time heavyweight champion grandpa. He has potential, but obviously needs a mentor to succeed. Who better than the one man to best his grandfather, Rocky Balboa? Though out of the sport entirely, Balboa is undoubtedly tempted to return in order to help the grandson of one of his oldest friends.

Jordan is all too familiar with beloved franchises, even if his prior two have come on the small screen. The young actor scored a much-loved role on HBO's critical darling "The Wire" as Wallace, and later became part of the new cast on "Friday Night Lights" as QB1 Vince Howard. It was there that Jordan showed off his natural athleticism, an attribute undoubtedly helpful for playing the grandson of Muhammed Ali-esque Apollo Creed (and fitting considering the other MIchael Jordan). Indiewire's Nigel Smith recently sat down with Jordan to discuss his relationship with Coogler and his future projects.

"Certain people are natural born leaders and that's what Ryan is," said Jordan. "He's so wise beyond his years. He's an old soul. We just connected. I felt like I was making a movie with one of my best friends and that's a good feeling to have." In regard to the future, Jordan said, "I'm really just reading a lot of scripts figuring out what I want to do next. That's something that's changed -- having more options and choices."

The immediate question that comes to mind for all "Rocky" fans is, "What the hell happened to Duke?" Apollo's former trainer who became the Rock's cornerman for his fights against Ivan Drago and Mason "The Line" Dixon would seem like an obvious choice for Apollo Jr.'s mentor. Obviously, Stallone as Rocky is a bigger draw at the box office than Tony Burton, but we hope nothing has happened to Duke since we last saw him training Rocky to build some "hurtin' bombs." The kid could use some of those, too.

This also begs the question of whether or not other characters will reappear. Adrian (Talia Shire) has passed on, but Paulie (Burt Young) would be an excellent addition to the kid's corner, and Rocky's son, Rocky Jr. (last played by Milo Ventimiglia), would also be a welcome sight. I doubt anyone is too worried about Marie and her son Steps reappearing, but getting the gang back together always helps add a welcome degree of sentimentality to the proceedings. What will be really interesting is if they can figure out a way for Carl Weathers to appear. It would be tricky, seeing as his character died 28 years ago, but homage needs to be paid one way or another to the fast-talking champ.

[AdumbGuy]

Originally Posted by scott free

Your self chosen handle is truly prophetic.

Your command of diction is impressive as your command of mickey's dick in your mouth, good sir. What exactly is my handle "prophesying?" Next time, try the word "apt." For example, you might have said:

"Your self chosen handle is truly apt, because I am Scott Free and the pounding my forehead has taken from Mickey's old withered balls has left me incapable of creative retorts."

nah, just kidding. Why is Mickey not a douchebag, though?

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by AdumbGuy

Your command of diction is impressive as your command of mickey's dick in your mouth, good sir. What exactly is my handle "prophesying?" Next time, try the word "apt." For example, you might have said:

"Your self chosen handle is truly apt, because I am Scott Free and the pounding my forehead has taken from Mickey's old withered balls has left me incapable of creative retorts."

nah, just kidding. Why is Mickey not a douchebag, though?

The Mick, you ignorant wart, did just what any good coach does for a dissolute, lazy pupil... first he angers them, then he gets them to understand that the reason for their anger is their own disappointment in themselves, then he pats them on the back and builds them up again.

Its a time honored strategy, tear them down to nothing... then build them back up anew, you wart.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by AdumbGuy

Am I the only one that hated Mickey? He was a selfish, bigoted, opportunistic prick that set Rocky up for failure by rigging his matches when he became a champion. And Rocky learned more from Creed about boxing, so it's not like Mickey taught him much other than how to chase chickens and to ignore his wife. **** Mickey.

I think that might possibly be true.

How was he selfish bigoted, and an opportunistic prick? He didn't rig his matches. Mickey taught him enough to beat Apollo and become the champion, so not sure what you are talking about.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

One of the things I always hated about Rocky V:

Apollo Creed had bank. You're telling me that his wife did nothing to help out the Balboas after Rocky avenged her husband's death, giving himself permanent brain damage in the process? There's no ****ing way that would have happened.

What has always bugged the shit out of me is the end of the second fight with Apollo.

Rocky blasts Apollo and knocks him down. Rocky is so exhausted that he loses his balance and falls. The ref starts the 10-count and it is presented as if he is counting on both of them and that Rocky needs to get up or he'll be counted out. NO! Slipping and falling is not a knockdown. As long as Apollo doesn't get up by 10, Rocky wins. Goddamit!

[AdumbGuy]

Hah, now we're talking, you diseased hairy twat!

I don't remember Mickey doing any of that though. First, Rocky was never a dissolute or lazy pupil.

Exhibit A - Even when working for a loan shark, he wouldn't hurt the guy he was supposed to rough up. He carried in the drunk out of the cold into the warm bar. He tried to steer the little girl away from the dissolute delinquents on the corner. For all intents and purposes, Rocky was a pretty stand up guy.

Exhibit B - He wasn't lazy. He was doing his 4am workout routine long before mickey showed up. I'm lazy. If you told me I had to wake up at 4am on a philly morning to go workout, I'd spit in your face, I would - if I wasn't so lazy, that is.

Finally, Mick "angered" Rocky by telling him he was an old failure of a man while begging Rocky to let him be his manager outside his bathroom door. That's got to be the worst time honored strategy I've ever heard.

I suggest it's been a while since you saw the movie - I'd recommend watching it again because it really is an underrated, fantastic movie. For example, going completely against all Hollywood conventions - the only character other than his gf that's genuinely nice to Rocky without wanting something in return - his loanshark boss.

sincerely,

AKnowledgeableWart

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by frazod

Yep. I liked the new Rambo much better than the new Rocky.

I really liked the new Rambo.

I went in ready to go MST3k all over it but......it.....was good.

[007]

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

Just wait -- there's another Stallone announcement coming very soon that will cause heads to explode...

[AdumbGuy]

Originally Posted by scott free

I think this idea has real potential, what else is Stallone going to mine at this point, Cliffhanger 2?

I didnt care much for "Rocky Balboa"... had its solid contemporary moments, but overall i just didnt connect like i wanted to.

Have him coach up the new blood, yeah, that sounds cool... its easy to kill Stallone for so many things, but Rocky 1-3 were bonafide classic american cinema... but just as with Balboa, i wonder if Sly is even close enough to being the same guy who's able to bring that innocent charm to the character.

Not sure about this yet, but color me interested.

hah, Tango and Cash 2. Actually, why wasn't there a Cobra 2!

[AdumbGuy]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

I think that might possibly be true.

How was he selfish bigoted, and an opportunistic prick? He didn't rig his matches. Mickey taught him enough to beat Apollo and become the champion, so not sure what you are talking about.

Bigoted just because I assume every olde timey character in every movie is bigoted. In reality, I don't remember why, but I remember thinking that about him back when. Perhaps confusing him with Paulie?

Selfish opportunistic prick? Pretty easy.
Opportunistic - The only reason he trains Rocky is because Rocky wins the boxing lottery.
Selfish - His pitch to become Rocky's manager is to tell Rocky about his own prime and missed opportunity.
Prick - throws Rocky's stuff out without telling him, mocks Rocky publicly for no particular reason.

He's a pretty shitty trainer too - Rocky's strategy is 1. catch chickens, 2. women weaken legs, 3. get the everloving shit beat out of you and miraculously survive it all. Apollo Creed teaches him more in a week!

Mickey rigged the opponents after Rocky became champion to extend his reign. That's why Clubber Lang rightly called Rocky soft and then beat the everloving shit out of him.

That said, c'mon! can't I call him bigoted too? Look at him, all olde and shit

[Predarat]