‘Rocky’ Spinoff ‘Creed’ Casts Tessa Thompson As Female Lead
If Apollo Creed’s grandson is the new Rocky, he may just have found his new Adrian.Dear White PeopleactressTessa Thompsonhas been cast in the female lead role ofCreed, MGM’s upcomingRockyspinoff.Ryan Coogleris directing the new movie, which reunites him with hisFruitvale StationstarMichael B. Jordan.
Learn all about theCreedTessa Thompson casting deal after the jump.
Creedwill center around Jordan’s character, the grandson of Apollo Creed from the Rocky films. He grew up rich thanks to his grandfather’s career and, despite his parents' objections, wants nothing more than to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. He seeks out Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and convinces the retired boxer to train him.
In addition to Jordan, Stallone, and now Thompson, Creed will also star real-life boxersAndre WardandTony Bellew. The latter will play Creed’s main rival, “Pretty” Ricky Porter. Details on Thompson and Ward’s roles have not been revealed.
With Coogler, Jordan, and Thompson,Creedlooks like it’ll be made up of young talents on their way up. Coogler made his feature filmmaking debut just last year with the acclaimedFruitvale Station, which starred Jordan. Meanwhile, Jordan is set to blow up big next year withFantastic Four, after making a strong impression in films likeFruitvale StationandChronicleand shows likeFriday Night Lights.
Thompson has been bouncing around Hollywood for the better part of a decade (Veronica Marsfans may remember her breakthrough role in Season 2), but 2014 may have been her biggest year yet. She had a standout turn in the indie comedyDear White People, and resurfaces next week in Ava DuVernay’s MLK Jr. dramaSelma. Her other recent credits include the TV seriesCopperand 666Park Avenue. Additionally, she wrapped the indie dramaThe Prop Is the Girl.Creedwill be one of her most high-profile roles to date.
