Not only was 2015’s Creed the highest rated Rocky movie, but its sequel in 2018’s Creed 2 further added popularity and freshness to theiconic Sylvester Stallone series. The story followed the rise of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Rocky Balboa’s former rival and eventual friend Apollo Creed and gained recognition for how it handled this upcoming star’s journey with a well balanced story and romantic interest in Bianca (Tessa Thompson).

In his book A Life in Movies: Stories From 50 Years in Hollywood, Irwin Winkler, who produced the entire Rocky series, wrote that he “promised” Michael B. Jordan an opportunity to direct Creed 3. “Last year in a conversation with our Creed star Michael B. Jordan, I offered him the opportunity to not only star in, but also to direct Creed 3.”

In case that wasn’t proof enough, during the Toronto Film Festival, Entertainment Weekly talked with Jordan during the premiere of Just Mercy, whose response to Creed 3 was that the movie was, “definitely” happening. With much anticipation for the sequel, many are still unsure if Stallone will reprise his role as the iconic Philly legend, or whether this will simply be a film of the next generation being given the torch.

One thing is certain: the Rocky saga is still riding high, as fans are eager for the next installment to make its mark among a new generation of Rocky Fans.