Creed II: The Story of Ivan Drago/Dolph Lundgren as he confronts his past

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2019.02.04Akira Murayama

Was Drago in Rocky IV a cold-blooded robot boxer?

In an interview for ``Creed II'', Dolph Lundgren discussed whether Ivan Drago in `` Rocky 4 '' was actually an emotionless robot-like person. According to Lundgren, when he auditioned for the role of Drago, Stallone liked the fact that he approached the role as a quieter, calmer character, whereas the other candidates played him as a provocative, rough-and-tumble Russian. It is said that the image of Drago was born.

Lundgren was impressed by the good posture of Soviet soldiers with their chins raised, and after hearing from his Russian coach how Soviet athletes were strictly controlled like in the military, Lundgren developed the character of Drago. I incorporated it. Even in the setting, Drago was a military employee, and Lundgren believed that he was merely being used by the system.

“Rocky 4” preview

When Apollo dies, Ivan Drago is put on a microphone and comments, ``When he dies, he dies'' (subtitled ``When he dies, he dies''). This line is often seen as a symbolic line that shows how ruthless Drago is, but Lundgren said he acted it with a "feeling of remorse." When I actually re-watched ``Rocky 4,'' I found that Drago's expression immediately before the line seemed to show a sense of helplessness that was contrary to the line. Lundgren likened Drago to ``Dr. Frankenstein's Monster'' and believed him to be a victim whose free will had been taken away.

In Creed II, Ivan Drago becomes what could be called a monster parent to his son Victor. Not only does he drill the basics of boxing into him, but he also pushes him mentally into a fighting field, never letting him rest. In fact, this relationship also largely reflects Lundgren's own upbringing. Lundgren confessed that he grew up suffering from abuse at the hands of his father, and that his success as a karate practitioner before his film career was ``to get his father's approval.'' Lundgren told director Caple Jr. about his upbringing, and the two decided to include it in the film.

As history repeats itself, Lundgren/Ivan Drago repeats the same treatment he received from his son Victor. However, as the story progresses, Ivan escapes from his past and becomes a father who can face Victor. The official protagonists of this film may be Adonis and Rocky, but when you see Drago and his son running together at the end of the movie, it's not only heart-warming, but also incredibly moving. is surging. And the drama between Drago and his son was made so deep and rich because a man named Dolph Lundgren poured his own life into it.

reference:

Screen Crush, Dolph Lundgren interview

https://screencrush.com/creed-2-interview-dolph-lundgren/

Hollywood Reporter, Dolph Lundgren interview

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/creed-ii-how-dolph-lundgren-turned-a-monster-a-man-1162613

Text: Akira Murayama

Born in 1971. Writes articles for magazines, newspapers, movie sites, etc. Representative of “ShortCuts,” a review site for distribution-based works.

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"Creed II"

Nationwide roadshow from Friday, January 11, 2019

Distribution: Warner Bros. Pictures