‘Creed’ Star Michael B. Jordan Is Obviously Down for a Sequel

Creed is great. It’s certainly better than most people thought it could be, with intensely great performances from Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone (mounting his own comeback of sorts) and the scene-stealing Tessa Thompson, and Ryan Coogler proving himself as a more-than-competent director with his first blockbuster film. Given Rocky’s history of sequels and that Creed essentially passes the torch to Jordan’s eponymous fighter, could we see the actor return for another round?

While out promoting Creed, Jordan certainly expressed interest in returning for a sequel (via AP):

A character so rich as this, and the world he’s in, I want to see what happens to him next and what he does. Especially the way it ends off, it’s pretty cool. I think with success and time and circumstances, it would be exciting to come back and work with (co-stars) Sly (Stallone) and Tessa (Thompson) again.

That’s a very thoughtful response to a typical sequel question — “with success and time and circumstances” isn’t the kind of measured thinking you hear when discussing blockbuster franchise potential. Creed is already set to make back its $35 million budget and then some, thanks in part to the extended holiday weekend at the box office. Director Ryan Coogler says he’s also up for another Creed outing, although Warner Bros. and New Line have yet to announce any potential sequel plans.

Coogler made his feature directorial debut with indie true-life drama Fruitvale Station, starring Michael B. Jordan. You can see with Creed how that promising talent is already evolving — the exceptionally-shot boxing sequences, the long take, the way he captures poignant drama (without letting it slip into melodrama) and small character moments, and the genuine edge-of-your-seat excitement he can inspire in the audience.

It’d be great to see Coogler take on another original project after this, but maybe, like Jordan says, if the time and circumstances allow it, we’d love to see Coogler and Jordan return for another round with Creed.