Photo credit: Micheal Buckner/Variety/ Rex/ Shutterstock
It looks like filmmaker Ryan Coogler is passing the baton to up-and-coming director Steven Caple Jr. to direct the sequel to his hit “Rocky” followup “Creed.” The Cleveland, Ohio native made his feature directorial debut at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, where his film “The Land” premiered. Since then, he has been tapped to write HBO’s Emmett Till project, direct the season finale of Freeform’s “Black-ish” spinoff “Grown-ish”, and he earned a spot on Forbes’ 30 under 30 for 2018. Now, after Caple has a seat in the director’s chair for “Creed 2.”
Coogler is set to executive produce the sequel, but it has yet to be confirmed as he’s finishing up post-production on Marvel’s Black Panther. A film in which made him Marvel’s first Black director. Under the helm of Coogler, “Creed” became the second-biggest box office opening ever for a “Rocky” movie.
On top of Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone returning as Adonis Creed and Rocky Balboa, Tessa Thompson will also reprise her role as Adonis’ love interest, Bianca, in the sequel. Jordan took to social media to express his enthusiasm to have Caple behind the camera, writing: “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!”
“It’s an honor to be a part of such an iconic franchise and to work with such great collaborators,” Caple said. “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.”
Congratulations, Steven! We’re looking forward to seeing you leave your own mark on the Rocky franchise.