Jul 24th 2013, 19:00, by Kevin P. Sullivan
Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler, the star and director of the indie hit "Fruitvale Station," respectively, are riding high. Their true-life tale has been doing exceptionally well in limited release, and it has, more or less, snapped up every festival award it has encountered. With their first collaboration a bona fide success, the duo may have just found their next project, and it is freaking amazing.
According to Deadline, Coogler is set to direct "Creed," a spin-off of the "Rocky" series that would follow Apollo Creed's grandson, and Jordan is now in early talks for the starring role.
The report says that "Creed" is Coogler's dream project, intends to make it his follow-up to "Fruitvale Station," and was the director's own idea.
Pretty cool, right? That's only half of it.
After Coogler told his agency that he wanted to do the project, they put him in touch with Sylvester Stallone, who loved the idea. As it stands now, Stallone will reprise his role as Rocky Balboa and act as a mentor to Jordan's character, who, after growing up in the upper class, decides to become a boxer like his grandpa.
The story is without a doubt a strange one, but why not? Coogler and Jordan are two serious up-and-coming talents. Why shouldn't they take on something as ambitious as the Rocky mythology. It sure as hell beats trying to get Stallone back in the ring, and the Italian Stallion's involvement could help keep the spirit of the originals alive.
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