By Greg Beacham
LOS ANGELES (AP) --With "Creed" knocking out audiences and critics alike, Michael B. Jordan acknowledges he would love to lace up the gloves again for a sequel.
Jordan openly welcomed the possibility of an eventual "Creed 2" even before writer-director Ryan Coogler's new chapter in the Rocky Balboa boxing saga opened to mostly rave reviews and a strong box-office performance during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend.
"A character so rich as this, and the world he's in, I want to see what happens to him next and what he does," Jordan said in a recent interview. "Especially the way it ends off, it's pretty cool. I think with success and time and circumstances, it would be exciting to come back and work with (co-stars) Sly (Stallone) and Tessa (Thompson) again." Coogler, too, has expressed enthusiasm for another "Creed."
The film featuring Stallone's seventh appearance as Rocky, now a trainer to up-and-coming fighter Adonis Creed (Jordan), had a solid holiday weekend that's projected to hit about $40 million despite daunting competition. "Creed" also received a CinemaScore of A from audiences enthralled by Creed's rise and Stallone's much-praised supporting performance as Rocky facing his mortality.
With only a reported $35 million budget, "Creed" is already likely to turn a tidy profit. New Line Cinema and distributor Warner Bros. haven't publicly announced sequel plans.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
“I’ve... Read More