'Creed 2' first trailer: Michael B. Jordan jumps back into the ring to face Viktor Drago
In 2015, director and writer Ryan Coogler took on the ambitious effort of breathing new life into the Oscar-winning 'Rocky' franchise - and he did with a sharp inversion in the narrative, immediately charming critics, winning back fans, and even generating Oscar buzz.
The focus of the film was not on Sylvester Stallone's iconic Italian Stallion, but the son of Apollo Creed - Adonis Creed, who was portrayed on screen masterfully by Michael B. Jordan. If there were any doubts as to whether 'Creed' could sustain a franchise like its predecessor, they can confidently be laid to rest today. The first trailer to the much-awaited sequel, simply titled 'Creed 2' is officially out, and by the looks of it, the second installment in the reboot series is a total knockout!
The first trailer promises the same heart and personal battles delivered by the best installments in the franchise along with some tightly choreographed hard-hitting bouts of boxing. The story continues as we follow the next fight for Apollo Creed’s son, and this time, things are getting really personal.
As the official synopsis from Warner Bros. details, "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." The big reveal in the trailer, of course, confirms previous rumors as we get a glimpse of another legacy figure: Viktor Drago, son of Dolph Lundgren’s iconic on-screen character Ivan Drago, the villain of 'Rocky IV.' As CoS points out, Viktor will be played on screen by the real-life fighter Florian Munteanu. To top it all of, the trailer is soundtracked by Kendrick Lamar's 'DNA.'
'Creed 2' is penned by Stalone himself (co-written by Cheo Hodari Coker) and produced by Ryan Coogler. But Coogler hands over the reigns for direction on to Steven Caple Jr., who, like Coogler, broke out at Sundance with his film 'The Land.' The reason for this, of course, is that Coogler had his hands full with MCU's blockbuster hit 'Black Panther.' In addition to Stallone, Jordan, Lundgren, and Munteanu, the film also sees the return of Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Andre Ward.
'Creed 2' hits theaters on November 21, 2018.