Creed star Michael B. Jordan’s next big role will be a MyCareer mode player in NBA 2K17 set to release Sept. 29. The handsome actor is slated to play Justice Young, a rising star in the NBA. This news comes after his recent Apple commercial with retired NBA star, Los Angeles Lakers franchise player, Kobe Bryant, whom he playfully roasted in the segment.
Jordan, 29, is beyond ecstatic about this new endeavor, “I’m humbled at the opportunity to help influence a franchise that I’ve been a passionate fan of since its first release.” Jordan calls NBA players, current and former, LeBron James, Charles Oakley, Shaquille O’Neal and Jordan Clarkson, friends. He evens dreams of playing James in a biopic.
Jordan is not the only famous face on the new 2K17 team. To add to the excitement, it was also announced stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress will play Ice the Barber. “Veep’s” Matt Walsh is tackling the role as the college coach, Hemsley Adson.
Last year, 2K Sports brought in legendary director Spike Lee to write and direct the MyCareer storyline. While the production anticipation was high, many die-hard fans didn’t find their playing experience as gratifying as they hoped for because they were often observing rather than influencing the game. Aaron Covington, who co-wrote Creed with Ryan Coogler, was brought on as this game’s writer/director. “Teaming him up with Michael B. Jordan was a natural fit. And beyond that, he’s a hardcore NBA fan and a longtime NBA 2K gamer, and that made a huge difference in what we were able to capture this year,” offers Ben Bishop, senior producer at Visual Concepts, the video game developer.
NBA 2K is quite similar to a two-sided movie. All players want to feel the interactive aspect of the game. If not, then hundreds of purchasers are left feeling as if money was wasted.
Hopefully, the partnership between 2K Sports and Michael B. Jordan and new creative narrative will help tailor to a more enjoyable experience these 2K fanatics deserve. Will you be playing this fall?
