After reviving the Rocky franchise in 2015 with the acclaimed spinoff Creed, filmmaker Ryan Coogler has opted against a return to the series – and another reunion with his Fruitvale Station and Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan – passing on directing duties on Creed II.

The project will instead be helmed by Steven Caple Jr. (The Land), and during an interview with Variety, Coogler has explained that while scheduling conflicts with Black Panther would have made his return difficult, it wasn’t the only reason why he opted against the sequel.

“I mean of course it was possible [to do it],” said Coogler. “Creed was about my dad and me, so it’s a movie that I find difficult to watch. It’s difficult for me to even think about it, I’ve got so many emotional ties to it, not to mention you know how much I care about the people involved. I care deeply for Mike, obviously, deeply for Tessa, and I grew incredibly close with Sly in making that. These are people that I wanna see do well and win at all costs. There’s timing, and that film for whatever reason it had to go when it’s going. I think it’s a blessing that it’s going, man. It’s amazing that they found an incredible filmmaker in Steven Caple Jr., who’s a guy I actually went to film school with, who I have a lot of love and respect for. I can’t wait to see what he does with it.”

SEE ALSO: Dolph Lundgren talks Ivan Drago return for Creed II

Creed II is set for release on November 21st 2018, and features the return of Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, while Dolph Lundgren reprises his Rocky IV role as Ivan Drago, and boxer Florian Munteanu takes on the role of Drago’s son.