Michael B. Jordan to Direct ‘Creed IV,’ Despite Sly’s Feud with Winkler

Michael B. Jordan is ready to direct one other ‘Rocky’ franchise installment with the following ‘Creed’ film — this even if Sylvester Stallone has main beef with a key producer.

The announcement was made by Irwin Winkler at an occasion in L.A. Saturday — the place he confirmed that not solely is ‘Creed IV’ taking place … however saying Mike can be again within the director’s chair, and clearly starring after all.

In keeping with Deadline, Winkler mentioned they’d begin circling the challenge someday in 2024 — with him explaining, “We now have a extremely good story [and] a extremely good plot. We acquired a bit of delayed due to the strikes, however a couple of 12 months from now we’re going into pre-production.”

Contemplating how a lot of a moneymaker “Creed III” was, that is nice information for MBJ … however most likely hits a nerve with Sly — who’s slammed IW and his dealing with of the ‘Rocky’ rights.

As we reported … Stallone has known as on Winkler to offer him an possession stake within the IP — of which he has no management over, apparently, after having offered the rights to the OG script years in the past. Sly’s POV is … he is the creator of the character/story, so he ought to have a minimize.

It goes with out saying … Rocky himself was not featured within the newest movie — and Sly mentioned he simply did not like route Mike and Irwin had been taking issues … though he did want ’em nicely.

Sly’s love of his child (‘Rocky’) really simply acquired a renewed focus because of an important Netflix doc on the person himself, “Sly” … which touches closely on how the Oscar-winning movie got here collectively. In the event you watch it, you may see all issues ‘Rocky’ are nonetheless very close to and pricey to SS.

Curiously sufficient, Sylvester would not deal with Winkler within the doc (straight or not directly) however he is made his emotions concerning the problem very clear. For now, it would not seem he’ll be concerned with ‘Creed IV’ … though MBJ left the door open in interviews earlier this 12 months.