Creed II cowriter Cheo Hodari Coker has offered some insight on the sequel's plot and themes. The first Creed was a Rocky spinoff centered around Apollo Creed's son, Adonis (Michael B. Jordan). Sylvester Stallone reprised his role as Rocky Balboa in the film, with Ryan Coogler directing from a script and story that he wrote, inspired by his own father's love of the Rocky movies.