FRUITVALE STATION's Michael B. Jordon & Ryan Coogler Set for ROCKY Spin-Off CREED

ROCKY is getting a spin-off.

According to Deadline, FRUITVALE STATION's director Ryan Coogler is set to helm CREED, an off-shoot of the famed boxing franchise for MGM, with FRUITVALE's Michael B. Jordan set to play the grandson of Apollo Creed (originally played by Carl Weathers.) Sylvester Stallone has also signed on to return.

Creed has been "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."

The film's set-up hasn't been framed as a mere cash-grab, the report notes. The premise came from Coogler, who presented it to WME upon signing with them, which got him in touch with Stallone. Stallone was reportedly impressed enough with the concept to take it to MGM - who put the project into motion.

The film will reportedly go into pre-production as soon as Coogler and Jordan are locked in.

For the original report, head on over to Deadline.