The Creed II trailer has been released. The eighth installment of the Rocky franchise will give movie fans what they want: a fight between Ivan Drago’s son and Adonis Creed.

The Creed II trailer begins after Adonis Creed’s fight with “Pretty” Ricky Conlan. Creed (played by Michael B. Jordan) is experiencing some medical issues. He is settling into domestic life with Bianca (Tessa Thompson). There is also conflict between Creed and Rocky Balboa. Creed’s desire for validation is consuming him, but it is not until the end of the trailer when a boxing robe with the name “Drago” tells you everything you need to know about Creed II:

Ivan Drago’s son, Viktor Drago, is the latest entry in the Rocky franchise.

Creed II Trailer Reaction

Rocky Balboa famously capped his Cold War boxing match with Ivan Drago by telling a Russian crowd, “If I can change and you can change, everybody can change.” Not much has changed since then. Revenge and Russians still make for a great story.

There is no greater villain in the history of sports movies than Rocky IV’s Ivan Drago. Not one. Portrayed by Dolph Lundgren, the Russian boxer was a stone-cold fighter who displayed no emotions and wielded great one-liners. 33 years after Drago killed Apollo Creed in the boxing ring, Creed’s son will have his shot at revenge.

The first Creed film was a success on many levels. It reignited the Rocky franchise with a believable character who fans could invest themselves in emotionally.

Bringing Ivan Drago back into the picture is the best possible box office draw for Creed II. Instead of casting a new villain, Sylvester Stallone reached back into his franchise’s greatest sequel for inspiration. It is a genius move by Stallone. I would not be surprised if he also reprises Rocky and Adonis Creed loses his fight with Viktor Drago. He needs a plot for Creed III, after all.

Creed II Casting Details

Ryan Coogler, who directed Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther, Fruitvale Station, and Creed, has been replaced as director by Steven Caple Jr. Coogler is credited as one of three co-writers of the film. Caple also directed the 2018 documentary Rapture and the 2016 film The Land.

Stallone, Thompson, Jordan, and Phylicia Rashad are all reprising their Creed roles. Longtime Rocky sideman’s son, Tony “Little Duke” Burton is making his second appearance in the franchise. Burton is played by Wood Harris (Avon Barksdale in The Wire).

Dolph Lundgren will return as Ivan Drago. Florian Munteanu is making his feature film debut as Viktor Drago. Munteanu is a Romanian boxer and kickboxer. Standing 6’4,” he looks convincing as Drago, Jr.

Since there is an actor cast as “Moscow Referee,” it is safe to assume that the Creed II bout will take place in Russia.

Creed II will be released on November 21, 2018.

Watch The Creed II Trailer:

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