Originally published November 23, 2018. Updated November 24, 2018.
Steven Caple Jr., the director of Creed II, has discussed the possibility of Mr. T’s Clubber Lang returning.
The Rocky franchise is replete with iconic and colourful characters, one of them, Ivan Drago, is returning to the series for Creed II. But what about Clubber Lang, the ferocious boxer played by Mr. T?
Well, according to Steven Caple Jr, director of the film, he has thought about using Clubber on screen. Speaking to UPROXX, the director said:
“I’m not going to lie. There was a moment where I got pretty stingy and was thinking about Clubber Lang. I was like, ‘Dang, wouldn’t it be cool if we brought in Clubber Lang?’ And I think there was a version of this where [Michael B. Jordan] was also talking about it too. Like him having a daughter or something like that out in the West or New Mexico. We were playing with a lot of different ideas. But no, I don’t know if Clubber Lang will come back.
“He’s an interesting character. And just to see where he’d be at now, where they try make him grounded and seeing where Mr. T is at. Again, nostalgia and just finding a way to bring back characters, but in 2018 and 2019 they have a more modern day level and will always be interesting. You know what I mean? I love challenges like that. Trying to make Drago human. How to make Clubber Lang human. Like, where is he at today? Those are the interesting routes to go in developing characters. That’s my favorite part of character development.”
It would certainly be interesting to see the character again and especially with the idea of making him more grounded as Caple Jr, suggested. Would you like to see Clubber Lang in a future Creed installment?
Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family’s past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what’s worth fighting for, and discover that nothing’s more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can’t escape your history.
Creed II sees Steven Caple Jr. directing a cast that includes Michael B. Jordan (Adonis Creed), Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa), Tessa Thompson (Bianca), Dolph Lundgren (Ivan Drago), Florian Munteanu (Viktor Drago), Phylicia Rashad (Mary Anne), Wood Harris (Tony ‘Little Duke’ Evers), Andre Ward (Danny ‘Stuntman’ Wheeler), Brigitte Nielsen (Ludmila Drago), Milo Ventimiglia (Rocky Balboa Jr.) and Russell Hornsby (Buddy Marcelle).
