Sylvester Stallone just dropped a major hint at a possible 2018 release date for Creed 2. The much-anticipated sequel to Creed, the Rocky spin-off that landed Stallone an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, the film is set to bring back Michael B. Jordan as Apollo Creed's son Adonis. After going the distance with light heavyweight champion Ricky Conlan (boxer Tony Bellew) in the first film, it appears that Adonis will face a challenge from returning Rocky IV antagonist Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).

Things have already gotten quite serious with Lundgren, who is training hard to reprise his role as Drago in some capacity for Creed 2. Little else is known about the sequel beyond the obvious Rocky IV ties, but things are clearly going well behind-the-scenes as Stallone is aiming to get the film into theaters at some point next year.

Stallone posted a photo of himself and Jordan from a Creed training scene to his official Instagram page, hinting that 2018 will be the year Creed 2 is released. "Getting stronger!!! 2018," the post's caption reads. Stallone had previously said he'd like to start filming Creed 2 in early 2018. This would line it up for a Thanksgiving release like its predecessor; Creed began filming in Jan. 2015 and first hit its wide release on Nov. 25.

Stallone is reportedly handling script duties for Creed 2 (as he did for all previous entries except Creed), but the movie remains without an official director. Coogler is unlikely to return at this point, as he gets Black Panther ready for its Feb. 2018 release and already plans on reuniting with Jordan for Wrong Answer instead. With a Rocky IV-inspired story on tap for Creed 2, it's possible that Stallone (who directed Rockys II-IV and Balboa) ends up taking on directorial duties himself.

Rocky fans who have been patiently awaiting the sequel will be relieved to at least have some idea of when the next installment will hit theaters. The movie still feels a long way off from actually being made, but Stallone is setting a realistic goal assuming he can find a director sooner rather than later.

Those who aren't as fond of Rocky IV's more cheesy elements may be concerned how returning to that well could hurt the Creed sequel - the first film felt like a breath of fresh air, and doing something as silly could undermine the world Coogler built - but Stallone's been with the franchise long enough to know what will work best. No matter what direction Creed 2 takes, it's at least becoming clear we'll get it soon.

Next: Rocky and the Greatest Retcon of All Time

Source: Sylvester Stallone