Looks like Rocky Balboa is alive and kicking – and returning to the series in a sequel to Creed – after his battle with cancer, based on a snapshot Sylvester Stallone shared on his social media accounts today.
Stallone revealed a photo of his old-fashioned handwritten script for Creed 2 which gives a tantalizing glimpse into the storyline the Rocky star is evidently putting together for the much talked about sequel which may include a flashback sequence and a reappearance by Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
It’s been rumored that Sly is writing the script himself, and this capture of his scribbled screenplay confirms it. Stallone has tagged his photo: “DONE ….#writers cramp #rockybalboa #drago #adoniscreed #MGM.”
Just as he once wrote out the story for the original Rocky on a red Mead notebook back in the 1970’s, Sly is getting his ideas down in a new notebook this time around.
Spoiler! Stallone’s Fight Outcome for Creed vs. Wheeler Revealed Below
According to his notes, Rocky is still alive following his chemo treatments – at least for this sequence in the script – and Adonis Creed is pitted for a rematch against Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler (played by real life undefeated pro-boxer Andre Ward.)
This portion of the script looks at the final outcome of the match, and if it gets produced, will be a huge spoiler. But who cares, that’s why you’re still reading, right?
Major Creed Characters Make a Comeback
The character of Lil’ Duke (Wood Harris), Tony “Duke” Evers son and Adonis’ trainer from Los Angeles makes a return in this scene, as do Bianca (Tessa Thompson), Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad and Tommy Holiday (Graham McTavish).
Adonis Creed wins what sounds like a brutal fight against Wheeler, and there’s even a mysterious mention of Ivan Drago’s name hidden here, possibly with an additional reference to Drago’s son or sons.
Let us know if you think it says something different, but the way this is written sounds a lot like the opening of Rocky III when Clubber Lang broods in the audience as he watches Rocky KO fighter after fighter. Perhaps this match occurs early on in the story, and Drago & Co. get motivated to want to fight Baby Creed?
CREED 2 SCRIPT EXCERPTS
COMMENTATOR #2
“That was a clean blow – no one saw this coming!”
WHEELER ACTION
Blood pours down at a sickening pace down his face
ADONIS ACTION
Adonis goes to neutral corner adrenalized
ROCKY
“You got him. Breathe.”
ADONIS ACTION
A large portion of writing – which includes a reference to Ivan Drago – has been crossed out. As far as we can make out, it seems to say: “Rocky glares over at Drago and his sons and […] are leaving.”
ADONIS ACTION
[…] and friends are on their feet and Mary Anne are on the edge of their seats
COMMENTATOR #1
“The ref is stopping the action. The ring doctor is already in Wheeler’s corner.”
BIANCA
(Rising) Stop the fight!
WHEELER CORNER
The gash is bad, very nasty. The ring doc turns to the referee.
COMMENTATOR #1
It was not […] and in a bad place, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s stopped.”
COMMENTATOR #2
“And that’s exactly what’s happening. It’s over, folks. Just like that.”
RING ACTION
Referee waves his arms, “It’s over!”
Stuntman Wheeler pounds the ring, inconsolable
COMMENTATOR #1
“Wheeler complaining that he’s fine, that he wants to go on. Adonis Creed is the new champ!”
ACTION – RING CENTER
Rocky and team exit
LIL’ DUKE
“Look what you did!”
ACTION
Tommy Holiday and […] rise and exit
