Creed 2: The First Week Plus Stallone Surprises Tourists at Rocky Statue
Creed 2 completes a successful first week of production in Philadelphia, specifically this week at Sun Center Studios, in Aston, Pa.
Sylvester Stallone, creator, writer and star celebrated the kick off of the production with a series of instagram posts announcing that we’re all in for a treat with Creed 2.
Stallone posted several videos from the Sun Center Studios , where they are filming for the first two weeks, with the actual ring their using in the movie. This week Creed 2 filmed many of the boxing scenes, which I told you about last week. Michael B Jordan (Adonis Creed), and
Florian Munteanu (Viktor Drago) have been working out like beasts at the Sporting Club, and gyms near their homes in Philly, leading up to this week so they would be in tip top physical shape for the fighting scenes. So Tuesday and Wednesday they were doing Adonis Creed fight scenes with boxers which would lead up to the big fight with Viktor Drago. Then Thursday and Friday they filmed scenes that were set in Moscow, and in Friday’s scene was the one and only, unannounced Ludmilla Drago.
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise Brigitte Nielsen (Gitte to her friends) arrived on Tuesday taking the RED EYE from LAX and arriving at PHL at 630am, looking pretty in pink and being transported in a courtesy chair. She’s in town to reprise her role as Ludmilla Drago in Creed 2. Nielsen famously played Ivan Drago’s (Dolph Lundgren) wife in Rocky IV, which may even make her the mother of Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu).
I had a chance to chat with Gitte at baggage claim where she told me that she was in town to film scenes for Creed 2, without going into too much detail. She did say it was her first time in Philly, and was looking to enjoy some of Philly’s fine cuisine and try and cheesesteak. I told her to head to Geno’s. She was sweet, tipped the lady who pushed her and gave her a big hug goodbye. PS I wrote this for Friday and since then I’ve chatted with a few people who were extras in the the scenes this week. They told me that Gitte had a few scenes (Thursday and Friday), they couldn’t hear what she was saying in the scene, but when she left for the day she said goodbye to everyone in the “stands” and in return everyone clapped and cheered. They’ll see her this week as well as they are filming the finale as well.
Gitte is not even listed on Creed IMDB yet.The first few days she was in town she did rehearsal and costume fittings before showing up on set Friday. She’s also scheduled for Monday, by the looks of how much luggage her husband wheeled to the waiting SUV she plans to head out on the town a few times as well.
Also on set this week was Phylicia Rashad who plays Adonis Creed’s step mother in Creed & now in Creed 2 as well. I hear she was super nice even though every film day this week was 10-12hrs. Word on the street is will Mrs. Huxtable visit her former co-star Bill Cosby as his trial begins tomorrow in Norristown, Pa. I expect her to visit her favorite nail salon at 18th & Sansom Streets. Every-time Sly Stallone comes into town people do speculate will Sly stop by the Art Museum steps, and his likeness at the bottom of the steps – the Rocky Statue.
Well the anticipation is over as Friday it happened. Regular tourists were in line to see the Rocky statue, I live across the street and nearly every daylight hour there are at least 5 people in line to see a representation of an underdog, a guy who overcame all odds to become an inspiration, a hero. It was really exciting to witness this moment.
Especially so see him raise his arms triumphantly at the Rocky Statue, immortalized in bronze by artist A. Thomas Schomberg in 1980 for a scene in the film Rocky III. After the filming was complete, Stallone donated the statue to the City of Philadelphia. Here he is with Mayor Jim Kenney, who was reluctant to take the moment away from Sly, but Sly insisted he stand with him for the photo opps.
and dedication of the Rocky Balboa plaque. The Mayor presented Stallone with an Eagles jersey as he was leaving. Stallone posted some incredible support videos during the Eagles run up to the Superbowl.
Hey there Sheila Hess, the City Rep
Rocky Balboa Impersonator Mike Kunda greets the real one
They’re in the studio for another week, and then heading out into the streets of Philadelphia for filming.
Check out my media outlets for more photos and stories on the day.
CBS3Philly, Philly Magazine, Philly Voice Philly Metro and The Daily Mail
Congrats to my friend Kristen Alderson‘s , #GH and #OLTL alum who begins performances in The Marvelous Wonderettes at The Kirk Theatre 410 West 42nd St. New York, NY 10019 this week.
Yes 1818 Market Street did get a new sign. Sleek, modern and colorful.
