Everton's Goodison Park plays a starring role in the new 'Rocky' franchise 'Creed', which will be released in the UK this weekend.
Creed, sees Sylvester Stallone reprising his iconic role of Rocky Balboa and features the Blues’ historic stadium, Goodison Park, the oldest purpose built football stadium in the world and one mighty fine stadium at that as we discovered in our 'Residence Series'. Without giving away too many spoilers, Goodison is the venue for the final fight scene in the film and was filmed in January 2015, using the crowd and atmosphere when Everton hosted West Brom.
European Cruiserweight Champion Tony Bellew features in the film as Adonis Creed’s nemesis, ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan, who wears his Everton kit and apparel throughout the production. Bellew, a lifelong Evertonian also wears the Everton crest on his boxing shorts when he's fighting for real, although his footwork is more Gerard Deulofeu than Gareth Barry.
Everton's Director of Marketing and Communications Richard Kenyon said: “The Club were really pleased to be invited to be part of Creed. We were keen to support our fellow Evertonians, Tony and Sylvester, and really excited at the opportunity to show off Everton and Goodison Park to the world. Our fans really add to the atmosphere in the final fight scene – not only visually but also through the singing of Everton songs that can be heard before and during the fight. We’re seeing a huge rise in overseas supporters’ clubs, particularly in the USA, and I’m sure this will generate even more interest in Everton.”
Creed gets its nationwide release in the UK on Friday 15 January 2016.
