If it wasn’t evident enough from our breathless coverage of this film in the past, we’re really excited for Stephen Caple Jr.’s Creed II, and we’re only a few short months away from having it streamed directly into our eyeballs. This trailer, dropped by MGM earlier on Wednesday, may help sate some of those cravings, though it may just make it way, way worse. We get our first look at the aged Ivan Drago, portrayed once again by Dolph Lundgren, and we see Adonis’ new — and brutal — training methods in action. All in all, there’s a lot to be excited about here.
Take a look for yourself:
We’re not going to speculate on whether or not this sequel will be better than Ryan Coogler’s original, given the fact that most films released this decade haven’t been better than that film, so it’s very likely that it won’t (we’re fond of drunkenly watching clips from that film and crying in the middle of the night when nobody’s around). We do, however, like that it’s a reversal from Adonis’ arc in the first film — that he’s the successful fighter looking to be downed by a new opponent — and we can’t wait to see these goddamn Ruskies in action again.
Here’s a synopsis:
“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.”
Creed II hits theaters on November 21, just in time for Thanksgiving.
Featured image via MGM.