Attention all Rocky and boxing fans! According to The Ringer, the Italian Stallion himself Sylvester Stallone will be directing the upcoming Creed II (2018)!

Creed II is an interesting sequel in development. Not long after the original Creed (2015), which earned Sylvester Stallone an Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe win for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, his first since his Best Actor in a Leading Role nominations for the original Rocky (1976), it was announced that a second film was in the works. This made sense, as the general opinion for Creed was very positive, balancing a sort of sequel to Rocky Balboa’s story while also being something new and original with a new character named Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), former opponent Apollo Creed’s (Carl Weathers’) son. But then a part two really wasn’t talked about much after that, with barely any announcements sprinkled here or there. Originally, it was assumed and in talks that the original film’s director, Ryan Coogler, would be returning to helm the sequel. A year was attached to the sequel for its release date but not much was officially announced regarding that. It’s assumed that Coogler is just too busy with his upcoming Marvel flick Black Panther (2018) to return to the boxing world again as soon as the public and filmmakers want to get a Creed II released. But apparently Stallone will be conferring with Coogler on the sequel, much like they did the first time around, and who better than to direct a Rocky movie, a Rocky spinoff movie, than Rocky himself? After all, Stallone directed Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rocky IV (1985), and the much underappreciated Rocky Balboa (2006). His last directorial role was for The Expendables (2010).

We’re really excited for Creed II

This really is great news, and we can’t wait to see what is in store for the follow-up film. Hopefully we will hear more announcements and see a trailer in the not too distant future. No official release date has been announced yet, but according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), the release year is still a go at 2018. Currently, Creed II is confirmed to star returning actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan.

“It ain’t about how hard ya hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward, how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winnin’ is done!” -Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa