Tinsel & Tine Philly Film & Food Blog: Philly Celebrates: CREED Movie (aka Rocky 7)

CREED DOES the ROCKY FRANCHISE PROUD

By Editor, Le Anne Lindsay

Tinsel & Tine got to attend a press conference with “Creed” stars Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Writer/Director Ryan Coogler and Producer Irwin Winkler. Along with Former Philadelphia Eagle Vince Papale as Special Guest Host.

Philly really celebrates film & movies, which is one of the reasons I love it so! Pictured above: The calm before it all began. While waiting I started looking over the MGM, Warner Bros and New Line Cinema Production Notes. — at Philadelphia Museum of Art.

In "Creed", Adonis "Donny" (Michael B. Jordan) moves into a North Philly apartment building where Bianca (Tessa Thompson) is playing her music too loud. When she opens the door, looking so sexy in her braids, suddenly Donny's no longer upset about the noise.

Mayor Nutter gifted the team from “Creed” with individually inscribed miniature Liberty Bells to mark the occasion; they, in turn, presented the mayor with a framed rendering of the mural, created as a special tribute to the city, that has been installed at the Front Street Gym in North Philly, a location that features prominently in the new film.

Side note: I attended the same preview screening of "Creed" with Mayor Nutter, where he and his guests were straight ballin with bottle service at the movies! If you follow me on social media you know I'm all about my #CinemaSneaknSnacks. Mayor Nutter took it to the next level, bar style - LOVE IT!

The crowds lined up earlier than press to catch a glimpse of the Creed actors. — at Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Mike x 2 - Michael B. Jordan with Mayor Michael Nutter — at Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Sylvester Stallone talks about what he's learned from playing this iconic character through 7 movies. Passing the torch from Rocky movies to Creed movies. His love of Philadelphia and more...
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"We all felt like we were going out in style with Rocky Balboa, which was very well received, said producer Irwin Winkler. "Little did I know there was a young man with an idea for a whole new way to tell this story." Winkler is the balding gray haired gentleman in the right corner of this photo.

Before Coogler could go ahead with "Creed" he of course had to get Sylvester Stallone's blessing to work with the character. Coogler recalls his first meeting with the icon "I could tell he was a little apprehensive. I hadn't even made a feature film yet, so he was probably thinking - Who is this kid coming in talking about making a "Rocky" movie?"

Could real life love be blooming here?

Tessa Thompson talks about getting to know and love Philadelphia and Philly cheesesteaks "My favorite character in the movies is the City of Philadelphia", said Tessa.

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In 2013 I got to interview writer/director Ryan Coogler
for "Fruitvale Station" (click to read)

Since Jordan and Coogler worked together on Fruitvale Station, he was attached to Creed, early on, before it was given the green light, giving Jordan ample time to train.

Coogler had come up with the story, and partnered with fellow writer Aaron Covington on the screenplay. Covington recalls " One day he (Coogler) asked me if I watched the "Rocky" movies growing up; of course I'd seen them a dozen times. Then he said, What if we continued the story with Apollo Creed's son?

After the press conference, they whisked the actors to the other side of the museum stairs for a "Good Morning America" interview.

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I've actually only seen "Rocky" and "Rocky II" (I know, sorry, very un-Philly of me). But I gotta say, although Creed definitely pays quite a bit of homage to the whole franchise; I was completely engaged and engrossed with this movie on its own. So those invested in the Rocky/Apollo friendship/rivalry, I think are really going to be happy with #Creed.

"Creed" Opens in Theaters November 25, 2015