'Fruitvale' Duo Reuniting for Polarizing New Project

Fresh off the success of indie hit Fruitvale Station, director Ryan Coogler is setting his sights on a new project - a Rocky spinoff called Creed , potentially starring Fruitvale breakout Michael B. Jordan as the grandson of famed boxer Apollo Creed. Sylvester Stallone will reprise his role as Rocky Balboa, who is now retired from boxing and poised to act as a mentor to Jordan's character, an aspiring fighter pursuing his dreams against the wishes of his family.

While the film's still a long away from being made, there's good reason to be cautiously optimistic. Coogler, who is co-writing the script, has long said that Creed is his dream film to make, and it's reassuring that Creed is a passion project, not just another big-studio, big-budget revamp.

Stallone's return is also promising; the actor hasn't played his most famous character since 2006's Rocky Balboa and is currently putting substantial time in producing a Broadway adaptation of the original film, so he must feel pretty good about Coogler's take on the saga if he's willing to participate.

Personally, I have a lot of faith in Creed. After the stunningly powerful Fruitvale Station, I'd follow Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan anywhere. If Creed doesn't exceed our highest expectations, color me surprised.