It's full speed ahead for the Rocky spin-off entitled Creed, and latest details about the film's synopsis and cast have just been provided by Empire.
Original Rocky lead character Sylvester Stallone did not want Creed to be called Rocky VII, and wanted Creed to be somewhat of a standalone film. But it seems like the movie is quickly gaining recognition as the next Rocky movie, since MGM and Warner is banking on its earlier success by releasing a statement describing Creed as "a new chapter in the Rocky story."
The official plot goes: "Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there's no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed's legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.
Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo-the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring."
Now the question stands: With Rocky teaching Adonis the ropes, will he manage to reach his father's success, develop the heart of a true fighter, and even surpass the original Creed's greatness? Or will he bow down and quit even before getting into the ring?
The film will be written and directed by Ryan Coogler, produced by Stallone, Robert Chartoff, Kevin King Templeton, and Irwin Winkler. Aaron Covington will help write the screenplay for Creed, which is set for release on November 25 this year.
Other cast details include Selma actress Tessa Thompson, who will play Adonis' musician love interest named Bianca, Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show's Claire Huxtable) will be Apollo's widow Mary Anne Creed, and finally real-live Brit boxer Tony Bellew will portray Adonis' rival, "Pretty" Ricky Conlan.
As a recap, Adonis' father Creed, who was Rocky's rival turned friend was played by Carl Weathers. His character met his unfortunate and untimely death when Ivan Drago beat him to death in Rocky IV, so it's an emotional struggle for Rocky to teach Creed's son how to box since he might suffer the same fate as his father.
