‘Creed II’ Director Mulls Over Potential Return For Clubber Lang

Creed II Clubber Lang

Creed II is now in theaters just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, and audiences are getting a chance to see how Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) is going to avenge the death of his father Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in a fight against Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the father of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren). Director Stephen Caple Jr. had the honor of bringing this new chapter in the Rocky saga to life, but he originally intended to also have Clubber Lang (Mr. T) from Rocky III factor into the story somehow.

In an interview with Uproxx, Caple was asked about one of the most entertaining opponents in all of the Rocky films and if it ever crossed his mind to bring him back to the big screen for Creed II: 

“I’m not going to lie. There was a moment where I got pretty stingy and was thinking about Clubber Lang. I was like, ‘Dang, wouldn’t it be cool if we brought in Clubber Lang?’

And I think there was a version of this where Mike was also talking about it too. Like him having a daughter or something like that out in the West or New Mexico. We were playing with a lot of different ideas. But no, I don’t know if Clubber Lang will come back.”

Caple is a big fan of Clubber Lang, and expresses that making characters like Ivan Drago seem human was something he enjoyed in the character development process:

“He’s an interesting character. And just to see where he’d be at now, where they try make him grounded and seeing where Mr. T is at. Again, nostalgia and just finding a way to bring back characters, but in 2018 and 2019 they have a more modern day level and will always be interesting. You know what I mean? I love challenges like that. Trying to make Drago human. How to make Clubber Lang human. Like, where is he at today? Those are the interesting routes to go in developing characters. That’s my favorite part of character development.”

Interviewer Mike Ryan suggested that for the third Creed movie, Clubber Lang would have a daughter that grew up to become a recording artist that would have to battle against Bianca (Tessa Thompson), to which Caple humorously replied:

“I think Tessa will like that. No, I think Tessa wants to fight, man. Tessa’s like, ‘I want to train and box!’ So many places to go with it.”

Have you seen Creed II yet? Would you like to see Mr. T reprise his role as Clubber Lang in a third film? Sound off in the comments below, and be sure to continue following Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news from this franchise.

Here is the synopsis for Creed II: 

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.

Directed by Steven Caple Jr. from a script written by Cheo Hodari Coker and Sylvester Stallone, Creed II stars Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Dolph Lundgren, Wood Harris, Andre Ward, Florian Munteanu, Milo Ventimiglia and Buddy Marcelle.

Creed II will be released in theaters on November 21, 2018.

Source: Uproxx

Noah Villaverde

Noah Villaverde

Cinema lover. Saxophone player. Coffee consumer. Chronic complainer. Oh, I also write. #TeamHeroic