Creed 2 Has Found Its Director & Its Not Sylvester Stallone

IMAGE VIA MGM/ WARNER BROS

Questions regarding who was going to direct Creed 2 has finally been answered.

The main reason there was a directing issue with Creed 2 is that the film’s original director, Ryan Coogler is busy working on Black Panther and didn’t have the time to work on the pre-production.

Now Warner Bros and MGM have found their man as Variety revealed up-and-coming director Steve Caple Jr will be helming the sequel with Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson will be returning to reprise their roles.

IMAGE VIA GETTY IMAGES

Production is expected to start in Philadelphia in Spring 2018 and Coogler will hopefully return in an executive producer role, but the deal hasn’t finalised because the director is focusing on the editing and post-production on Marvel’s Black Panther as we’re roughly three months from release.

For some time it did look like Stallone was stepping up to fill the vacant seat, but by the sounds of things Jordan has some serious influence in Hollywood and especially this project and the 30-year-old put his foot down along with execs. Both actors agreed to find a new director hand picking Caple to take the reins.

This is the first major feature film Caple will be directing and got the job after his work on the coming-of-age IFC pic The Land impressed Jordan, Stallone and MGM execs. The young filmmaker recently wrote something for the high-profile HBO Emmett Till project, produced by Will Smith and Jay-Z and he was also named in Forbes 30 Under 30 in Hollywood and Entertainment.

Caple will be directing an original screenplay by Stallone and Cheo Hodari Coker (showrunner of Marvel/Netflix Luke Cage) and the story will follow Adonis Creed’s (Jordan) life inside and outside of the ring as he deals with his new-found fame, issues with his family, and his continuing quest to become champion.

Punching The Wall GIF from Creed GIFs

Even though plot details for the sequel are still vague, Stallone has previously hinted the story could involve Ivan Drago’s son and it would be significate as in Rocky IV as Drago killed Creed’s father Apollo.

Jordan posted his excitement on Twitter backing Coogler’s decision to stand down.

Excited for Coogler to hand over the reins to Steven Caple, Jr. - our director for Creed 2! Can’t wait to bring you guys the next chapter of our story ... coming at you November 2018. 👊🏾👊🏾 #Creed2

— Michael B. Jordan (@michaelb4jordan) 11 December 2017

“We could not be more fortunate and excited for the collaboration of Steven, Sly, Michael and the producers, to build upon the success of Creed,” said MGM President Jonathan Glickman. “The combination of Steven’s talent and unique vision makes him the perfect director to continue the Rocky franchise’s storied lineage.”

Stallone also released a statement to reprise his new helmer saying, “The character of Adonis Creed reflects this generation and its challenges. I believe it’s important for the director to also be a part of this generation like I was mine, to make the story as relatable as possible.

“We are extremely lucky to have the talented young filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. step up and accept the role of the director. I am confident that he and Michael B. Jordan will hit it out of the park!”

Finally, Caple added his excitement to be working on this project, “It’s an honor to be a part of such an iconic franchise and to work with such collaborators.

“Mike, Sly and Tessa are extraordinarily talented and bring something special to today’s culture. I look forward to joining the family and continuing the precedent set by this franchise’s alumni of incredible filmmakers” he added.

Creed 2 will be hitting US cinemas on November 21, 2018.