Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Sylvester Stallone, and, perhaps most importantly for longtime “Rocky” fans, Dolph Lundgren are all back for “Creed II.” While there were once plenty of reservations about whether the Extended Rocky Balboa Universe was worth exploring, those justifiable doubts were more than assuaged by 2015’s shockingly exhilarating “Creed.” An ideal reboot, “Creed” paid homage to the legacy of the franchise while simultaneously breaking new ground, crafting a starting point for audiences who didn’t know Thunderlips from Clubber Lang.
But, for every diehard Dolph enthusiast swayed by Ivan Drago’s triumphant return, a handful more will be dissuaded the absence of “Creed” director and co-writer Ryan Coogler. Coogler first got our attention with “Fruitvale Station” and later cemented his legacy with “Black Panther,” but “Creed” was perhaps the most impressive display of his Midas touch. It showed that under Coogler’s direction, even the least enticing intellectual property could become something special.
Coogler, now executive producing, has passed the directorial reigns to Steven Caple Jr. (“The Land”). The script is co-written by Cheo Hodari Coker (“Luke Cage,” “Notorious”) and none other than Stallone himself (working off 439 handwritten pages in a spiral notebook!), who did not receive a screenplay credit on the first film. Frankly, all of this gives me pause. As does the fact that the plot hinges on “Rocky IV,” which, although a guilty pleasure, is a ridiculously silly relic of Cold War jingoism. Then again, the franchise has surprised me before.
Here’s the official “Creed II” synopsis and new trailer:
“Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.”
Co-starring Florian Munteanu, Phylicia Rashad, Andre Ward, and Wood Harris, “Creed II” opens November 21st.
