Michael B. Jordan is ready for another round as Adonis Creed. Three years after the first Creed hit theaters, Jordan and his muscular physique are back to throw some punches with Creed 2.
Related: 13 Times Boxer Florian Munteanu Proved He’s Ready to Play Ivan Drago’s Son in ‘Creed 2’
Jordan is starring in Creed 2 alongside Sylvester Stallone, who is returning as the iconic Rocky Balboa, the famed boxer and mentor to Creed. In the new film, both Rocky and Adonis will be in for the biggest matchup of their lives as Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), who returns to the fold after appearing in Rocky IV, bringing his son Viktor (Florian Munteanu) to challenge Creed in the ring.
When the story picks up, Creed is dealing with newfound fame and responsibilities in the boxing world, and that’s when the challenge from Drago comes in. For anyone who hasn’t seen Rocky IV, Ivan Drago is the man who killed Creed’s father Apollo in a boxing match. Now, Creed will have the chance to get some revenge.
Related: 13 Times Boxer Florian Munteanu Proved He’s Ready to Play Ivan Drago’s Son in ‘Creed 2’
The intense trailers for the film set up the dramatic fight—and also showed off just how shredded both main actors got for the film. Jordan previously did it for Creed—and recently muscled up for Black Panther—while Munteanu basically just kept the ridiculously muscular body he’s been showing off on his Instagram page for years.
They weren’t the only ones to get ripped for the sequel—Stallone worked with trainer Gunnar Peterson to add some extra muscle to his frame, stacking his upper body for the role. Lundgren, who appeared on the cover of Muscle & Fitness, is looking as big as ever as he reprises the role that made him world-famous back in 1985.
Barry Wetcher/Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/Warner Bros. Pictures
Drago towers over Adonis in the ring, but does that mean he’ll win? You’ll have to wait until November 21 to find out. For now, here’s everything you need to know about Creed 2.
Related: How Sylvester Stallone Is Getting Fit for 'Creed II'
In Creed 2, both Rocky and Adonis will be facing off against their past demons when Ivan drago returns with his son. After Drago killed Apollo Creed and then Rocky beat Drago in Rocky IV, Drago "lost everything." Now, he's back to get revenge as well, setting up the huge fight between Adonis and Viktor Drago. Here's a look at Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, and Michael B. Jordan talking about the return of Drago in the film, for the "Sins of Our Fathers" featurette:
Jordan got absolutely ripped in Creed, but he took things to another level for the sequel. Jordan trained for multiple hours a day doing boxing work, and he hit the weight room to build his upper body and core. As you can see in the photo, Jordan got pretty big for Creed 2.
Pro boxer Florian Munteanu is set to play Viktor, and he looks like a great opponent for Michael B. Jordan's Adonis. Munteanu is ripped, just see the Instagram posts on his page, and now, he's getting an introduction in the latest video from the film. Here's a look at who Adonis willbe facing off against:
The fight - the pain - the work - the gain. Florian '@big9nasty' Munteanu is Viktor Drago. Get tickets to see him in the ring this Thanksgiving 🔥#Creed2: https://t.co/aZAOQe2Bq1 pic.twitter.com/CyGYojuW1M
— #CREED3 (@creedmovie) November 7, 2018
After Ryan Coogler went to work on Black Panther, the Creed sequel needed to find another director. It was rumored that Sylvester Stallone would direct, but instead, Jordan, Coogler, and Stallone brought in Stephen Caple Jr. to take over. Caple made his debut with the critically-acclaimed film The Land and earned a ringing endorsement from Stallone after it was announced.
“The character of Adonis Creed reflects this generation and its challenges,” said Stallone, according to Deadline. “I believe it’s important for the director to also be a part of this generation like I was in mine, to make the story as relatable as possible. We are extremely lucky to have the talented young filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. step up and accept the role of director. I am confident that he and Michael B. Jordan will hit it out of the park!”
You simply couldn't make another Creed without Rocky. After appearing in the first film and becoming the mentor and coach for Adonis, Stallone is back as his iconic character for the sequel. As shown in the trailers, Rocky is once again in Creed's corner, training him for his mega-fight against Viktor Drago.
A lot more will be on the line for Adonis when he steps into the ring against Viktor Drago. In the new trailers, it's revealed that Adonis and Bianca (Tessa Thompson) now have a child. With a family also on his shoulders, Adonis will be carrying a lot more into the ring this time around.
Rumored for a long time, it became very official when Dolph Lundgren appeared in one of the trailers for the film. After taking on both Apollo Creed and Rocky in Rocky IV, Drago is back for the Creed sequel. This time around, he's coaching his son, meaning he'll be going head-to-head with Rocky once again.
After MMA fighter Sage Northcutt put his name out for consideration for the role, the movie brought in pro boxer Florian Munteanu to play Viktor. Munteanu certainly has the muscle to play Drago—just look at these Instagram posts on his page—and the trailer shows that he has the size to take on Adonis.
The set-up for the film has a major fight at the center: Creed vs. Drago. After Ivan Drago took on Rocky in the past, Ivan's son Viktor now will be in the ring. Even though Rocky warns Adonis in the trailer that Viktor Creed is "dangerous," he's still right beside him as his coach when he walks into the ring.
Michael B. Jordan teased the collaboration on his Instagram page: