Okay, first things first – Sylvester Stallone is stepping down as the director of the much-anticipated Creed 2. There is so much history behind this film and legacy of Stallone. Stallone was dirt poor and on his last leg when “Rocky” broke through and made him a box office sensation. There would be no Rambo if it wasn’t for Rocky. So, as the 71-year-old actor, writer, and director steps aside, we salute him. Stallone has passed off the directorial duties to the visionary Steven Caple Jr. According to Stallone, Adonis Creed is a representation of the current generation and it is important to have a director who is also a part of this generation. Steven Caple Jr. is definitely a part of the new generation and his innovative and creative approach should breathe some invigorating life into this latest installment of the Rocky Franchise. Here are a few facts about Caple Jr.
1. He May Be the Best at Finding the Dark Side
According to Steven Caple Jr., there are always at least two sides to the story that you are telling as a director, the story that the audience immediately perceives and the back story or secret story that is going on in the head of the director. It is the dark side of a story that provides its intrigue and unpredictability. This story can come from inside of the film or outside as long as it is used to drive the creativity of the production.
2. His Story is Nothing Short of Amazing
It can be easy to see the work and talent of an individual and automatically postulate that they traveled a certain road to their current destination. For many people, it is hard to imagine someone as gifted as Steven Caple Jr. beingemersed in an endless cycle of drug abuse and crime as a child, but he has seen it all. Steven admits that he has come up close and personal with the mechanisms that work against Black men, but somehow he escaped and now he is mentoring an entire culture through his films.
3. He Has Worked with Nas and Erykah Badu
In African American culture, to have stood in the same space as Erykah Badu and Nas, two of the most creative and gifted artists in the Hip Hop culture, speaks volumes about the talent and potential of Steven Caple Jr. Not only did Steven get to work with these legends, but he did so in his debut film, The Land, which was executive produced by Nas and starred Badu. The movie chronicled the lives of four high school-aged boys struggling to fund their skateboarding dreams using the wrong methods – selling drugs.
4. He Believes Art and Activism Can Co-exist
Some of the most influential artist in history were activists, including Lena Horne, Marvin Gay, Sam Cooke, Harry Belafonte, and so many more. Steven believes that his work is key in bridging the gaps that can sometimes exist between art and activism. He does not believe that the two are distinct, but simply different forms of expression. He believes that his films can be both, informative and entertaining.
5. He Lives to Inspire
One of the greatest challenges that young men face who come from where Steven comes from is the inability to relate to those who have experienced success. Therefore, Steven invests a lot of effort into being accessible and reachable to those he believes he most represents – young Black males. He believes that being relatable is the best way to inspire others to pursue their dreams and escape the pull of poverty.
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