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Director Ryan Coogler and his debut feature film, Fruitvale Station, has received rave reviews in the press after already winning a trio of awards earlier this year. Now, Coogler and the film’s lead actor, Michael B. Jordan, will look to join up with veteran actor Sylvester Stallone for a Rocky spinoff.

In an exclusive report from Deadline, MGM has pegged Coogler to direct Creed, a film which will feature Stallone reprising his role as retired boxer-turned-trainer Rocky Balboa. Because of Jordan’s stirring performance in Coogler’s film, the studio has launched early talks of having the actor play the grandson of Balboa’s nemesis, Apollo Creed.

From Deadline:

The intention is for Jordan to play the grandson of Apollo Creed (played in the early movies by Carl Weathers). Raised in an upper-crust home thanks to the ring riches earned by his grandfather, the young man doesn’t have to box and his family doesn’t want him to. Yet, he has the natural instinct and gifts and potential that made his grandfather the heavyweight champion until Rocky Balboa took his crown in 1979′s Rocky II. Creed’s grandson needs a mentor and turns to Balboa, who is out of boxing completely and not eager to return.

Fans of HBO’s The Wire will remember Jordan, who starred on the popular series as teen Baltimore drug dealer, Wallace. Jordan has played the role of an athlete in previous roles, starring in NBC’s Friday Night Lights as a football player.

The William Morris Entertainment talent agency, which represents Coogler, Jordan and Stallone, are finalizing the deal now.

Photo: Blackfilm.com