First look at the new Rocky spin-off, Creed

Nearly forty years after Rocky earned him two Oscar nominations, Sylvester Stallone will be reprising his iconic boxing character later this year in the Rocky spin-off, Creed.

But this time Rocky Balboa will be outside the ring - serving as a trainer and mentor to the son of his first opponent Apollo Creed.

Actor Michael B. Jordan takes the lead as Adonis Creed, son of Apollo, who was played by Carl Matthews in the original 1976 movie.

The film's first trailer sees the young fighter at the beginning his boxing career, seeking out Balboa's help in the build-up to a big fight.

"This guy here. That's the toughest opponent you're ever going to have to face," Balboa says to Creed as the two stare into a mirror.

"I think that's true in the ring, and I think that's true in life."

Michael B. Jordan in a scene from the movie Creed.

One of the final clips from the trailer sees Creed running in slow motion wearing a grey sweater with the hood up, in homage to the iconic training montage from the original movie.

Jordan reunites with his Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler for the film.

Creed is set for release on November 26, and will be the seventh film in the Rocky franchise. The first earned ten nominations at the 49th Academy Awards, winning three.

Jordan will next be seen as the Human Torch in superhero reboot Fantastic Four.

- nzherald.co.nz