Creed 2: The First Week Filming, Plus Stallone Surprises Tourists at Rocky Statue

April 8, 2018 by HughE Dillon

Creed 2: The First Week Plus Stallone Surprises Tourists at Rocky Statue

You know the old cliché that it “seems like yesterday and “but it does and it’s a very exciting moment to be here getting ready to Watch Creed 2 to commence filming. A very exciting day !!! The actors and production team has been waiting a long Time for this film to start , so ladies and gentlemen get ready to watch the fists startFLYING! #MGM #rockybalboa #CREED2

A post shared by Sly Stallone (@officialslystallone) on Apr 2, 2018 at 4:22am PDT

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

Philadelphia

Sly and the Family Creed Take On Philly Once Again, Press Stops, Screenings and After Party

November 9, 2015 by HughE Dillon

In 1976, Rocky Balboa triumphantly ran up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and became “The Italian Stallion” underdog of legend. Now, actor Sylvester Stallone returned to where it all began to promote the franchise continuation with Creed. He was in Philly on Friday for a whirlwind tour which included press conferences, screenings (UA Riverview & Cinemark University City) and an after party at Top of the Tower.

Earlier this year Philly’s favorite Hollywood son, Sly Stallone, returned to the City of Brotherly Love to film another in the Rocky franchise – Creed.

You’ll recall I chronicled the filming on PhillyChitChat, Fox 29, Philly Mag and had a few pixs in the Philly Daily News, Liberty City Press and Philly Metro. Michael B Jordan, director Ryan Coogler and Sly outside of “Adrian’s Restaurant”. I’m not going to link to those sites as I don’t want to spoil the movie, which will be released on 11/25/15.

Word started to leak out mid-week that the cast of Creed was going to

hold a press conference at the top of the Art Museum Steps.

A few notables in the press came out to cover it

The Mayor was on hand to greet them. There’s Joan Rivera in the back on the left. He just began working in the special events department at City Hall.

I spotted Sharon Pinkenson, Executive director of Greater Philadelphia Film Office. Her office does an excellent job at wooing productions to our City. (Today M. Night Shyamalan‘s “Split” with James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula and Haley Lu Richardson, in Philly now through 12/19/15)

Then the moment came for the cast to exit the Art Museum and take to the stage. Looking fly was

Michael B. Jordan, check out those red bottom shoes.

Sly Stallone waves to the crowd

Vince Papale introduced the Mayor and cast, which was an interesting choice of people. Maybe because he was an underdog like Rocky, and the film Invinceable, about Papale’s life story filmed in Philly, was a triumphant.

Sylvester Stallone Michael B Jordan, and Tessa Thompson waiting to take the stage

Tessa’s character uses the word Jawn a lot in the movie. Thanks to Mina Say What who filled me in to what Jawn meant
Tessa Thompson, Mayor Michael Nutter, Michael B. Jordan Writer/Director Ryan Coogler, Producer Irwin Winkler and Sylvester Stallone,

And what tense jawn shouldn’t be used in like when Tessa called herself a Jawn Women at the press conference. Maybe that’s why the mayor is laughing so hard. Tessa said that Philly was her favorite co-star in the film. I saw the film, and I agree with her.

We’re embargoed about what we can say about the film, but I do believe it’s one of the best Rocky movies. Sly did say that Creed would be a new franchise, just like Rocky.

Mayor Nutter honored each of the Creed stars with a replica Liberty Bell.

The bells were inscribed to each of the actors

The cast of Creed presented the mayor with a framed rendering of a mural, created as a special tribute to the city, that was before the Art Museum press conference at the Front Street Gym in North Philly, a location that features prominently in the new film. The cast signed the mural, as well as the framed art work.

They also gifted the Mayor with a “Creed” jacket.

These two make a cute couple – they definitely have chemistry. (later in the evening these two would attend the UA Riverview screening with fans)

After the stage press conference, there was time for a video conference with the news

Then the three settled down for an interview on the Art Museum Steps with a gorgeous view

of the City. I think this interview will be used when the movie comes out. It was interesting how they positioned the stars to capture the City. It was a perfect day for filming the interview, overcast is much better than bright sunshine. Plus at noon the sun would have been in front of us and the glare would have killed any decent shots. (later in the evening a party celebrating the film was held at Top of the Tower on the 51st Floor – it’s opened on weekends for brunch for the rest of us as well as can be rented out for special events), which is the “red, but looks brown” building in this shot.

After the interview Sly signed for fans before leaving the Art Museum Steps

The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema movie is set to be released on 11/15/15, the day before Thanksgiving Day, the 40th anniversary of the first fight in the first Rocky movie. I saw that first Rocky on Thanksgiving day with my Aunt Rosie, cousins Bob & Michael and my brother Ray. This movie captures the same excitement, and will create memories for a new generation.
Check out the Philly Metro for another photo and article on those darn Rocky step changes the Art Museum hopes to do. #JustSayNo
And I have more pixs in Philly Mag

Philadelphia

#CreedMovie Films Final Scenes #Spoiler Alert #SlyStallone and Michael B Jordan

March 19, 2015 by HughE Dillon

This much we know: Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed,
who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is
in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed‘s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa (Stallone). Jordan heads to Philly to find Rocky so he can train for the fight of his life.

Monday Rocky (Sly Stallone) returned to the steps he made famous, the Art Museum Steps, but most people call them the Rocky Steps, especially the tourist, much to the chagrin of art lovers and traditionalist. Anywho… here is Sly sitting at the base of the statue that has caused to much controversy in the City because it’s not “art work” but it is a tourist attraction. I guess the visiting school teacher (who took this photo, lucky guy) thought why include Sly’s statue head since he’s in the photo.

(Photo Source)
I was tipped off the night before that filming would be at the art museum steps the next day cause there were signs everywhere about crew parking, and directions to the set. The filming began early Monday morning, and by early about 7AM. It was interesting that this scene brought down 5 paparazzi from NYC too (They must have insiders). I wasn’t there for most of the filming as you know Monday’s are deadline days and I need to get my columns out. I was happy to get one in Philly.com and PhillyMag on two different subjects. Plus I send ones to Jenny at PhillyDailyNews and AD at the Metro, all before headed out, where I only got one shot on the steps but it didn’t include the principles, I heard most of the scenes they filmed were blocked by assistants with umbrellas, which was very strange at the time.

This is the 3rd scene of the day and it took place at the Rocky Statue.

Michael Jordan posing with a fan near the Rocky Statue. Most of the photographers were across the street to my left, I was on the side so I was able to get a few of these cute shots of Jordan with fans, Stallone is to the left of this photo.

When I checked everyone’s photos later in the day, I realized what was happening in these scenes, and they are crucial to the plot, so I’m not going to tell you or publish crucial shots of them. Except for these innocuous ones.

This is director Ryan Coogler setting up a shot. It’s one the reasons I wasn’t on Fox 29 Good Day, we all decided that I couldn’t do a report without revealing too much of the movie.

From the series I took that afternoon, I did get this shot of Michael B. Jordan checking out the Rocky statue, and it appeared in the Philly Metro on Tuesday. The umbrellas were all to my left, I was standing between two cars and in a flock of trees. I like this angle better. After shooting this I left as I had an event to photographed. It’s the social season after all.

I hear that around 4PM the Creed crew, Stallone and Jordon headed to the walkway over the River. They shot with Stallone and Jordan in the same clothes that they wore on the Steps, I figured this must be a sequence in their walk to the Art Museum.

Celebrity Youtuber Jesse Welle caught up with Stallone. You know him, he does all those great Zombie in Philly videos, where dead people pop up and scare the crap out of you. He tells me he’s working on some new video’s and it just might include our buddy Sly.

BTW Sly went to the Franklin Institute last week.

#creedmovie @michaelb4jordan filming in Port Richmond today #stallone @TheSlyFanbase pic.twitter.com/dWGPNxV7ej
— Pepper Livingston (@TweetinWiseguy1) February 10, 2015

Next week they will continue this iconic run (now with Adonis), in the Italian Market area.

Philadelphia

Sylvester Stallone Runs Through Philadelphia – Creed Casting – Celebrity Sighting Tips

January 20, 2015 by HughE Dillon

Sylvester Stallone Runs Through Philadelphia – The Actor is in town to Start Filming Creed, which starts filming next Monday 1/26/15. Last week he was at DIVE in Society Hill doing test shots for the upcoming follow up to the Rocky movie series. DIVE is the Visual Effects and Picture Finishing division of Shooters Inc., a national leader in commercial production, postproduction and broadcast design.

Saturday night Sly stopped by D’Angelo’s for dinner at 256 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Several fans recognized him but he asked if they could wait til after dinner, at which time he posed with them outside the delicious Italian restaurant located in Rittenhouse Square. This photo will be added to the fame wall which already includes Robert DeNiro and Tommy Lasorda. You’ll recall that this was also a favorite dining place for Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus.

Creed is a story that finds Rocky Balboa acting as a trainer and mentor to the grandson of his fellow boxing alumni, Apollo Creed. But before we get into where else Sly went let me tell you who else is in this film so you can be on the look out for these celebs walking around town.

Remember this guy from Ghost, he’s also one of the most prolific character actors in the biz. Did you know he was in Carlito’s Way and Boogie Nights. So be on the lookout for Luis Guzmán and tweet me your selfies to @IPhillyChitChat and I’ll print them here.

Sexy Tessa Thompson has been in a lot of our favorite TV shows like: Copper, Veronica Mars and Heroes.

Will Blagrove’s star has been on the rise for awhile now, but with Creed and the upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” with Ben Affleck, which will blow his career up.

Michael B. Jordan or as Alex Holley likes to call him, her next husband. Jordan was in town in December doing his test shots at DIVE during that time. When he was here he could be found at Fox & The Hound. I hear he was really nice and posed with fans. He appeared on All My Children in 2006, overlapping in scenes with Will Blagrove, so look for them to hang out a bit. Jordon just finished shooting “The Fantastic Four” and has already been tapped for the followup sequel, so now is the time to see him up close and personal as his star is headed for the stratosphere, and in “Creed” he’s in the starring role as “Adonis Creed.”

Speaking of stratosphere, Mrs. Huxtable Phylicia Rashad has just been added to the cast as Adonis Creed’s mom Mary Anne Creed. The chances of seeing her are slim as the last time she was in town filming the TV series “Do No Harm” for a whole season, she was low key. She did get her nails done at the same Sansom Street salon every week, and occasional grabbed a bite at a.kitchen, but otherwise there were very little sightings. Hopefully that changes this time.

After leaving D’Angelo’s on Saturday night, Sly and his friends headed to the 1925 Cocktail Lounge(formerly G Lounge).

He and his friends hung out in the vault, which you will recall was christened by Meek Mills and Nicki Minaj last week.

The Italian Stallion is 68 years old.

Friday night he had dinner as Estia at Broad and Locust and posed with the banquet coordinator and manager. (A man after my own heart, a guy who likes to wear black, two nights in a row.)

The best photo has to be the one that showed up on Reddit.

The photo has over 1.5 million views since it was posted on Sunday. WOW. Rocky lives , he’s our hometown hero. I hope you get a chance to get a selfie with him.