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.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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