Phylicia Rashad cast in upcoming ‘Rocky’ sequel, ‘Creed’
Ex-Cosby Show star Phylicia Rashad has reportedly been cast in the upcoming "Rocky" Sequel, "Creed," as grandmother to Apollo Creed’s grandson — which, in turn, makes her Apollo Creed’s widow.
Ex-Cosby Show star Phylicia Rashad has reportedly been cast in the upcoming Rocky Sequel, Creed, as grandmother to Apollo Creed's grandson — which, in turn, makes her Apollo Creed's widow.
According to ShowBiz 411, the outlet that Rashad said misquoted her statement about Bill Cosby's accusers earlier this week, brings us the news, calling Rashad a "highly regarded dramatic actress." Via ShowBiz 411:
Something I didn't tell you – Phylicia has been asked to play Michael B. Jordan's grandmother in "Creed," Ryan Coogler's updated "Rocky" movie. This means she's Apollo Creed's widow. What coup for Coogler and producer Irwin Winkler. Rashad has a Tony Award for Best Actress in "A Raisin in the Sun" – the 2004 production that featured Sean Combs. She is a highly regarded dramatic actress, up there with Rosemary Harris and Angela Lansbury (not as old, certainly) and Janet McTeer – in the top tier.
The film, which is suspected to start filming in Philly sometime this month, stars Michael B. Jordan (Creed's grandson), and deals with his character's goal to take up boxing to honor his grandfather's legacy. The original Apollo Creed, as you may remember, died in Rocky IV, initially training Rocky in the series before that. Now, Rocky is set to return the favor by training Creed's grandson.
Earlier this week, Rashad came to the defense of her former Cosby Show costar, reportedly saying to "forget these women." However, she later claimed this was a misquote, telling ABC, "I am a woman, I would never say such a thing."
ShowBiz 411 has since issued a clarification:
I did not misquote Phylicia Rashad. But she didn't mean for it to be taken the way it was, and I should have punctuated. There was NEVER the meaning in 'Forget those women' that she was saying to actually forget or dismiss then. She meant, 'those women aside' – as in, she's not talking about that, she's talking about Cosby's legacy being destroyed. It was conversational.
No word yet on her character's name in 'Creed.'