The Chinese will finally be able to watch one of America's most popular sports movies. On January 2019, the latest of the "Rocky" film franchise will be released in some movie theaters in China.
"Creed II," starring Michael B. Jordan (Adonis Creed), features a talented boxer who is regarded as the underdog. The movie will also feature Sylvester Stallone, who reprises his iconic role, Creed's mentor Rocky Balboa, for the eighth time.
But this will be the first time that a large part of the movie-viewing public in China will get to know the tales of these boxing legends on the big screen. Although "Rocky" debuted in theaters worldwide in 1976, not a lot of Chinese movie-goers may be familiar with the legendary character.
According to Deadline, some "Rocky" movies over the years have made its way to media sites in China for downloading only. However, authorities have recently granted big studios like MGM and Warner Bros to make the "Rocky" franchise accessible and widely-distributed in Chinese cinemas beginning with "Creed II."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chinese movie buffs may be more familiar with Stallone for movies like "The Expendables" and its sequels since these films received a decent following and performed respectably at the tilts. But the younger audience may be more acquainted with Jordan because of "Black Panther," where he played the unforgettable villain. In early 2018, this movie earned more than $100 million at the Chinese box office.
"Creed II" comes three years after the release of "Creed" and 33 years after the last "Rocky" movie was in theaters. When "Creed" came out in 2015, the film, Jordan, and Stallone received various recognitions from the Oscars, the Golden Globes and other major award-giving bodies.
The sequel will also feature the return of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) who beat Creed's father in "Rocky IV." This time, Drago 's son Viktor (Florian Munteanu) will face off with Jordan's character.
Stallone wrote the original screenplay for "Creed" and "Creed II" with Juel Taylor. The actor said right before production wrapped that this will likely be the last movie from the "Rocky" franchise.
"Creed II" will open in China on Friday, Jan. 4, and will be up against another Hollywood movie, "Bumblebee," the spinoff to the "Transformers" franchise. "Creed II" also stars Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Andre Ward, Russell Hornsby, and Wood Harris. Steven Caple Jr. directed the film.
