Indie Director Steven Caple Jr. To Helm Creed 2 Instead of Sylvester Stallone
Image via CMSD/YouTube Movies News Creed 2
Despite his initial claims that he would direct the sequel to Rocky spin-off Creed, Sylvester Stallone has handed the directing keys to Steven Capel Jr., a Cleveland-based director best known for Sundance titles such as The Land. The news comes from Variety, who reported that Capel was picked personally by Stallone and star Michael B. Jordan.
Along with the returning Stallone and Jordan, Tessa Thompson will return as the sequel’s female lead. Since the first Creed, Thompson has appeared in Westworld and Thor: Ragnarok. The screenplay by Stallone, which he showed off on social media to be hand-written, was also revealed to be co-written by Cheo Hodari Coker, the showrunner of Marvel-Netflix show Luke Cage.
Stallone and Jordan expressed their enthusiasm on social media.
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. ???????????????? #Creed2
— Michael B. Jordan (@michaelb4jordan) December 11, 2017
Below is a statement from Caple:
It’s an honor to be a part of such an iconic franchise and to work with such great collaborators. 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.
The film will begin production in March in Philadelphia, for a release date of Nov. 21, 2018.