A very personal reason for the talented filmmaker.
Given the fact that Black Panther is earning terrific box-office returns and critical acclaim, there’s one thing that’s easy to overlook, Ryan Coogler is only 31. 31!
In terms of age, talent and end product, it’s arguable that Steven Spielberg was the last ‘young’ director that delivered such a magnificent return while directing big studio films- Spielberg was just 27 when he started production on Jaws, it was released in 1975, and he followed that up with Close Encounters of the Third Kind two years later.
Of course, Coogler came to the world’s attention with his superb debut Fruitvale Station but he followed this up with an excellent reboot of the Rocky franchise in Creed.
By casting his on-screen muse, Michael B. Jordan, as Adonis Creed, Coogler revitalised the story by switching its focus away from Rocky Balboa. After a sequel was confirmed, Coogler announced that he wouldn’t be returning behind the lens due to a scheduling conflict with Black Panther.
This being said, it appears that the talented director also has a more personal reason for moving onto a new project and not returning to the boxing ring – Coogler’s next film is Wrong Answer, a dramatisation of the Atlanta school cheating scandal, with Michael B.Jordan starring.
In an interview with Variety, Coogler spoke about the prospect of directing Creed 2 and said: “I mean of course it was possible” but there’s more to it than that.
“Creed was about my dad and me, so it’s a movie that I find difficult to watch. It’s difficult for me to even think about it, I’ve got so many emotional ties to it, not to mention you know how much I care about the people involved. I care deeply for Mike, obviously, deeply for Tessa [Thompson], and I grew incredibly close with Sly in making that. These are people that I want to see do well and win at all costs. There’s timing, and that film for whatever reason it had to go when it’s going. I think it’s a blessing that it’s going, man. It’s amazing that they found an incredible filmmaker in Steven Caple Jr., who’s a guy I actually went to film school with, who I have a lot of love and respect for. I can’t wait to see what he does with it,” he said.
Regarding Coogler’s personal connection to Creed, take a look at the interview that he gave to our own Eoghan Doherty when the film was released in 2015.
“I came to these movies through my Dad. His favourite is Rocky II and I think it’s because it has a personal significance to him. He used to watch that with his mom before she passed away. I’ve seen Rocky II the most because of my dad,” said Coogler.
Regardless of what Coogler does next, it’s bound to be good!
Creed 2Â is set for release on November 21, 2018.
