The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Miocic tried out for ‘Creed II’
“Creed II” opens in theaters Thanksgiving weekend, and for fans of the Rocky film franchise, it also means the much-anticipated return of the fictional Russian villain Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren).
In the film, Adonis JohnsonCreed (Michael B. Jordan) fights Viktor Drago, the son of Drago, who famously killed Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in the ring during 1985’s “Rocky IV.”
Motives for why Creed and Viktor Drago are fighting in the film and the interactions between Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) and Ivan Drago are a mystery.
Another unknown is the actor playing Viktor Drago. He’s Florian Munteanu, a 28-year-old boxer turned fitness model. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, he goes by the nickname “Big Nasty” and looks the part.
Munteanu is a relative unknown — he’s had one starring role before “Creed II” — but might not be after next week. It’s unknown how many auditioned for the role of Viktor Drago, but one who did hits close to home.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic had an audition sometime in the fall of 2017. Miocic — who like Munteanu is also 6-4, 240 — said he did not show off his boxing skills in the audition.
“It was pretty much just talking,” Miocic told The
News-Herald in the fall of 2017.
A video of Miocic talking in a Russian accent served as the tryout. Obviously, Miocic did not land the role.
He told The News-Herald after news Munteanu got the role the film’s decision-makers were likely looking for a younger actor. The Eastlake North graduate and Northeast Ohio firefighter is 36.
Nonetheless, he said it was a thrill just being involved in the “Creed II” process.
“Trying out for the role was cool. It’s something you definitely dream about,” Miocic said. “I never
thought I’d even have this opportunity. I’m just blessed to have the chance to do cool things like this besides fighting.
“Just getting this opportunity was amazing.”
As for what to expect from the Viktor Drago character, Munteanu said to MuscleAndFitness.com: “The character’s very complex. Obviously, he’s the villain, because at the end of the day, he goes for the kill. But the movie shows what conditions he grew up in and what kind of a person he is. People will feel for him because he’s fighting for the right reasons. That makes him a good villain.”