Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) played a huge part in the "Creed" storyline even though he was not even included in the movie. After all, it was his character that brought son Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) together with his best friend Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone).
For the "Creed 2" storyline, however, Apollo would play an actual role. Those who are familiar with the "Rocky" franchise might raise their eyebrows as to how writers will bring a character back from the dead, but Stallone guarantees that this is possible.
"One version of the story would take place in the past, which would mean bringing back Carl Weathers to play Apollo Creed, who died in 1985's 'Rocky IV," Stallone told Variety. "Ryan (Coogler) has some ideas of going forward and backward and actually seeing Rocky and Apollo together. Think of 'The Godfather 2.' That's what he was thinking of, which was kind of ambitious."
In fact, Stallone has already discussed the idea with Weathers, and the actor is all for it. Stallone is amazed how Weathers maintained his great shape.
"I can't believe I got in the ring with him," he said. "Even if it was play fighting."
As for Adonis, there will be bigger ordeals to surmount in the sequel, not just in the ring but in the emotional front.
"You'll have him face a different opponent, which I would say is a more ferocious, big Russian," Stallone shared. "You can start to meld my experiences and then you start to bring different cultures into it. And you can see what's happening with the Russians today in America."
Adonis' girlfriend Bianca (Tessa Thompson), on the other hand, might not be content to stay put and remain as his cheerleader forever.
"The complication will come with the girl's ambition," explained Stallone. "She has places to go, things to see, the clock is running on her hearing."
The only thing that has gotten Stallone concerned over the sequel is the director. He said that he would love to have Coogler back to direct. However, since the director has just been chosen by Marvel to direct Chadwick Boseman's "Black Panther," his schedule might be jam-packed.
"I know Ryan is probably going to be gone for a couple years," Stallone said. "So there will be a quandary on: Do we work with another director and have Ryan produce, or do we wait? There's a diminishing time acceptance of a sequel. Now they are cranking them out in a year."
