'Creed' synopsis: Is Rocky ailing in the new flick?

"CREED," the much-anticipated "Rocky" sequel, now has an official synopsis . . . and it shows that the title character isn't the only one fighting. Our own Italian Stallion may be ailing, according to the official summary.

Star Michael B. Jordan will play Adonis Johnson, the son of Apollo Creed who was born after his father's untimely death at the hands of Ivan Drago. Adonis heads to Philly to seek out Rocky (Sylvester Stallone, duh), his dad's opponent-turned-bestie. While training, Johnson falls for a local singer-songwriter played by Tessa Thompson ("Selma").

But here's what caught my eye from the studio notes:

"Agreeing to take [Adonis] on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring."

Let's hope it's just a bad cold.

"Creed" is scheduled for a Nov. 25 release date.

Philly journalism luminary Ed Bradley is getting his own street.

The former "60 Minutes" journalist, who died in 2006 of complications from leukemia, will have a portion of City Avenue between Presidential Boulevard and Monument Road named after him, thanks to state Sen. Vincent Hughes. It's an apt road, considering that's where NBC10's and 6ABC's studios are located.

"He was a pioneer who broke numerous barriers during a career that spanned nearly 30 years," said Hughes' spokesman, Ben Waxman. "Now, Ed Bradley will be permanently recognized in his hometown as a national figure in journalism."

Bradley's first taste of broadcast journalism came from reporting at WDAS. Career milestones included covering the Vietnam War and becoming the first black White House television correspondent, in addition to his 26 years as a "60 Minutes" correspondent.

As youngest son Hakeem on "Empire," West Philly's own Bryshere Gray has to spend a full day on the set of Fox's Wednesday-night ratings juggernaut about a hip-hop dynasty. Then he'll get a text from producer Timbaland telling him to cut a new track for the show, which stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.

But the long hours don't faze Gray.

"I add a little swag, a little 'Drip Drop,' " Gray told me, referencing his breakout hit from the show, about what he adds to his character's musical stylings. We chatted last week at the Four Seasons.

Gray said he'll be dropping his own solo album soon. There's no release date yet, but he name-checked the Roots' Black Thought as a big influence on his original material.

Gray was in town with co-star Trai Byers, who plays oldest son Andre. Byers talked about why the show has become so popular. "We attack our subject matter fearlessly," he said. "There are things that happen on this show that I don't think have ever been on a television show. It's a dangerous world. . . . We all love Beyonce and Jay Z, but we don't know how they live. We all love the idea of Russell Simmons, but we don't know how he lives.

"You can see that, incorporated with family drama, which we can all relate to. . . . [It's a] slice of life we can all relate to wrapped in a very entertaining package."

One Oscar-winning movie has an unexpected Philly connection: "Whiplash," which netted Academy Awards for best supporting actor (how much did you love J.K. Simmons' speech?!) and best editing, has a local shout-out, if you're willing to sit through the credits.

Local drummer/columnist Bruce Klauber was shocked to see his name roll by. "I talked to the producers and asked them what the heck I did to deserve such an honor," Klauber said.

Turns out, Klauber helped producers get in touch with Cathy Rich, daughter of jazz great Buddy Rich and Klauber's collaborator, whose life influenced the movie.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Flower Show, running Saturday to March 8, will treat movie lovers to some cinematic flora. It's hosting a pop-up screening of "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" tomorrow at the Ritz East for PHS pop-up garden members. The show has a "Celebrate the Movies" theme.

But because I love ya so much, I have a limited number of tickets to give out. Want to see the flick? Go to foxsearchlightscreenings.com/PDNEICHEL226.

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