'The Land' Filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. to Direct 'Creed 2'

Local filmmaker Steven Caple Jr., who directed The Land in 2016, has signed on to direct Creed 2, the sequel to the 2015 boxing film starring Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone.

Deadline has reported that Caple is taking the reins from Stallone himself, who will reprise his iconic role as Rocky Balboa but will no longer direct.

“The character of Adonis Creed reflects this generation and its challenges,” said Stallone, in a statement. “I believe it’s important for the director to also be a part of this generation like I was in mine, to make the story as relatable as possible. We are extremely lucky to have the talented young filmmaker Steven Caple Jr. step up and accept the role of director. I am confident that he and Michael B. Jordan will hit it out of the park!”

Creed 2 was written by Stallone and Luke Cage showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker, and follows Adonis Creed (Jordan) in the next stage of his life and career.

Production on the film is scheduled to begin in Philadelphia in March and is slated for a late 2018 theatrical release.

Caple Jr. most recently wrote an HBO Miniseries about Emmett Till that will reportedly be produced by Jay Z and Will Smith. He was featured in Scene's 2016 People Issue.