The Rocky Balboa cinematic franchise is far from over. Renowned Hollywood actor and director Sylvester Stallone is back in Philadelphia to start producing the next sequel of the Rocky saga, which is expected to prominently feature the City of Brotherly Love.
In early April, followers of Stallone’s Instagram social media feed were surprised with an update about the status of “Creed 2,” the eighth installment in the fictional world of Rocky, a fictional boxer from Philadelphia who has been the city’s favorite son since the mid-1970s. Stallone will serve as executive producer and director of the film, and his decision to return to Philadelphia was based on the positive response by fans to “Creed,” the most recent chapter in Rocky’s life.
“Creed 2” is well into the pre-production phase and is now ready to start filming on location at various Philadelphia spots. This movie will be a sequel to “Creed,” a film that earned quite a few awards and accolades, including a Golden Globe for Stallone.
In late February, the “Creed 2” production office issued a casting call for extras, primarily boxing fans and locals who can portray authentic residents of Philadelphia.
Few details have been revealed about the plot of the film, which is expected to continue telling the story of Adonis Johnson, the son of the late heavyweight Apollo Creed. Johnson’s life was headed in the wrong direction until he turns to professional boxing and is coached by Rocky Balboa, who was a good friend to Apollo Creed. With Rocky as a trainer, Johnson learns about the life of the father he never knew while Balboa contemplates his past and realizes that his former feelings of invincibility are quickly fading with old age.
When “Creed” premiered on movie theaters in 2015, film critics and Rocky Balboa fans alike were astonished at the quality of this sequel; a lot of the acclaim was centered on director Ryan Coogler, arguably one of the best African American directors in history. After “Creed,” Coogler went on to direct “Black Panther,” a Marvel superhero movie that has broken several box office records.
Stallone realizes that expectations are very high for “Creed 2” now that he is sitting on the director’s chair; nonetheless, he has been a vital part of the Rocky Balboa story, which started 42 years ago. For the time being, he is happy to be back in Philadelphia.
