Sylvester Stallone has praised Ryan Coogler as a "genius" for creating 'Creed'.
Sylvester Stallone at Creed European premiere
The 69-year-old actor drew some criticism for not thanking the director in his initial acceptance speech when he collected the prize for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes on Sunday (10.01.16) for his performance as boxer Rocky Balboa in the movie.
However, he made sure he singled out Coogler, 29, for acclaim at the film's European premiere in London on Tuesday night (12.01.16) describing the story he created as "magic".
Speaking at the event held in Leicester Square, Stallone said: "This fella here, Ryan Coogler, he's a genius - he really is. Because he took something that lacked the element of surprise - people know Rocky, and so when you hear about it your eyes roll, you go, 'Again?'
"But that's the magic of what he pulled off. I'm just an old dog learning new tricks."
Stallone also revealed he and his co-star Michael B. Jordan - who plays Adonis 'Donnie' Creed, the son of Apollo Creed who Rocky trains to be a fighter - shared a great chemistry from the first day on set.
He said: "It either works or it doesn't - like love at first sight. It was mutual respect at first sight."
Stallone was joined on the red carpet by his co-stars Jordan, Coogler - who brought his dad Ira Coogler, who inspired the storyline - Tessa Thompson and real-life boxer Tony Bellew, who portrays Donnie's opponent 'Pretty' Ricky Conlan in the movie.
Other famous faces in attendance included Mark Ronson, Fleur East, former world heavyweight champion David Haye and retired super middleweight king Carl Froch.
Tagged in Sylvester Stallone David Haye Ryan Coogler