Rocky Spinoff CREED Synopsis Released

Warner Bros. and MGM have released the official synopsis for Creed, the feature film spinoff of the Rocky movie franchise.

The film is being directed by Ryan Coogler and is currently filming in Philadelphia. Creed sees Sylvester Stallone reprise the role of Rocky Balboa. Fantastic Four’s Michael B. Jordan will play the son of Balboa’s rival and friend Apollo Creed.

Here’s the official synopsis, in full (via Philadelphia Magazine):

Adonis Johnson (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.
With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?
Creed also stars Tessa Thompson (Selma, Dear White People) as Bianca, a local singer-songwriter who becomes involved with Adonis; Phylicia Rashad (Lifetime’s Steel Magnolias) as Mary Anne Creed, Apollo’s widow; and English pro boxer and former three-time ABA Heavyweight Champion Anthony Bellew as boxing champ “Pretty” Ricky Conlan.
Coogler directs from a screenplay he wrote with Aaron Covington, based on characters from the “Rocky” series written by Sylvester Stallone.  …
Opening on November 25, 2015, the film’s production is being overseen by MGM.  It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, with select international territories as well as all television distribution being handled by MGM.

Source: Philadelphia Magazine 

Apollo Creed Spinoff Reportedly Adding Two Real-Life Boxers

Two real life boxers are in negotiations to star in the upcoming Rocky spinoff, Creed.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two boxers set to join the film are WBA super-middleweight champion Andre Ward and former British champion Tony Bellew. Bellew will play a fighter named “Pretty Ricky Porter,” Creed’s main opponent. At this time, there’s no word on Ward’s role in the film.
 
Creed focuses on the grandson of Rocky’s first rival, Apollo Creed. The synopsis for the film reads: “Raised in an upper-crust home thanks to the ring riches earned by his grandfather, the young man doesn’t have to box and his family doesn’t want him to. Yet, he has the natural instinct and gifts and potential that made his grandfather the heavyweight champion until Rocky Balboa took his crown in 1979′s Rocky II. Creed’s grandson needs a mentor and turns to Balboa, who is out of boxing completely and not eager to return.”

Sylvester Stallone will reportedly reprise his role as Rocky Balboa in Creed. Creed’s grandson will be played by Michael B. Jordan (Fantastic Four, Chronicle), while Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler will helm the film. The script is being penned by Coogler, along with Aaron Covington.