After not appearing in the third film in the series, fans desperately want to know whether Sylvester Stallone will appear inCreed 4. Stallone wrote and starred in the firstRockymovie, which was released in 1976 and ended up being his breakout role. The firstRockymovie received exceptional reviews, and even won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. After the success of the first film, five moreRockymovieswere made, and each helped to turn Rocky Balboa into one of the most popular movie characters of all time.
After 2006’sRocky Balboachronicled the final boxing match for Stallone’s iconic character, it was not known if the franchise would continue. However, after nine years, Rocky returned in the firstCreedmovie. 2015’sCreedtransferred the spotlight from Rocky to Adonis, theson of legendary boxer Apollo Creed. Even though he was no longer the main character, Stallone still played a very important role in the film, and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. However, after appearing in the first twoCreedmovies,Stallone did not star inCreed III.
Why Sylvester Stallone Was Not In Creed 3
Stallone Didn’t Like How Dark Creed 3 Was
After having a significant role in the first twoCreedmovies, Stallone decided not to partake inCreed III. This is not necessarily surprising, sinceat the end ofCreed II, it seems like Adonis is now ready and mature enough to move forward without Rocky’s help. However, behind the scenes, there’s actually a much more dramatic reason as to why Stallone decided not to appear inCreed III. As reported byVariety, Stallone did not agree withCreed III’screative direction.
Creed IIIwas written by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin, and is based on a story that they conceived with Ryan Coogler, who earned much acclaim after directing the firstCreedmovie. Anyone who has seenCreed IIIknows that it gets quite dark at times, which is something that Stallone did not particularly like.Stallone has explained that he doesn’t like to see iconic action heroes go to dark places, like Adonis does inCreed III. Therefore, he would have taken the franchise in a different direction. A few months before the release ofCreed III, he said:
It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it. It’s a different philosophy — Irwin Winkler’s and Michael B. Jordan’s. I wish them well, but I’m much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting beat up, but I just don’t want them going into that dark space. I just feel people have enough darkness.
In the same report, it is also noted that Michael B. Jordan, who directed the third film, was interested in making aCreedmovie that was all about Adonis. SinceCreed IIIexplores the relationship between Adonis and his childhood best friend, Damian, Rocky wouldn’t have really fit into the story in a natural way. Therefore, instead of focusing on the past, Jordan directed a movie that sets up the future of the franchise.
Sylvester Stallone Is Unlikely To Return In Creed 4
Stallone Has Been Feuding With A Rocky Producer For A Long Time
In addition to the fact that he didn’t agree with the direction ofCreed III, Stallone has also been feuding with franchise producer Irvin Winkler for a long time.Before the release of the firstRockymovie, Stallone, who was a struggling actor at the time, sold the rights to Winkler, which is something that he now regrets. Stallone has obviously experienced a lot of success because of theRockyfranchise, but he has never owned any of its characters. Stallone and Winkler clearly do not have a good working relationship, and Stallone has even described the producer as “nefarious.”
Creed III Brought Back A Sylvester Stallone Rocky Tradition That Will Continue For Creed IV
By directing both Creed III and the upcoming Creed 4, Michael B. Jordan is honoring Sylvester Stallone, who directed several Rocky movies.
For a long time, Stallone has wanted the rights to theRockyfranchise. However, Winkler has refused. Now that Winkler is now 93 years old, Stallone has stated that he would love some of the rights to the iconicRockyfranchise. Since it doesn’t seem like Winkler wants to give the rights to Stallone, it currently looks like they will pass to his own children. Therefore,given their ongoing feud, it is not surprising that Stallone didn’t want to return forCreed III, even if it was hard for him to say goodbye to the character.
What Happened To Rocky The Last Time We Saw Him
Rocky Gets A Great Ending In Creed 2
Even though Rocky was only a supporting character in the first twoCreedfilms, they give him a lot of character development. In the firstCreedmovie, Rocky reluctantly agrees to train Adonis and eventually forms a special bond with him, all while battling cancer.InCreed II, Rocky, now cancer-free, is forced to relive one of the most traumatic experiences of his lifewhen Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago, challenges Adonis to a boxing match. Since Ivan killed Apollo in a fight, Rocky is worried that Adonis will meet the same tragic fate.
After the fight, Rocky walks away from the boxing ring, telling Adonis, “It’s your time.”
However,at the end ofCreed II, Adonis miraculously defeats Viktor Drago after a hard-fought boxing match. After the fight, Rocky walks away from the boxing ring, telling Adonis, “It’s your time.” This is why it’s not surprising that Rocky doesn’t appear inCreed III, since he seemingly taught Adonis everything he could. Furthermore, at the end ofCreed II, Rocky visits his son in Vancouver and finally meets his grandson. Since Rocky has always had a tumultuous relationship with his son, this is a great ending for the character.
Why Rocky Balboa Doesn’t Have To Return In Creed 4
Creed 4 Can Further Develop Adonis & His Family
Since Rocky received such a good ending inCreed II, he doesn’t necessarily have to return in theupcomingCreed 4. Rocky is obviously an amazing character and the bond between him and Adonis is great, but I don’t think there’s anything more to do with the character. Despite not including Rocky,Creed IIIreceived exceptional reviews. In fact,Creed IIIhas a higher score on Rotten Tomatoes than the second entry in the series.The success ofCreed IIIproved that the franchise doesn’t need Stalloneto continue.
93%
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Creed III (2023)
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Furthermore, theending ofCreed IIIteases that Adonis' daughter could also fight as a boxer. Therefore, even though Stallone was part of several incredibleRockymovies, it is better for the franchise to focus on the future, rather than the past.FutureCreedmovies can further develop Adonis and his family, as well as the other supporting characters in the series. Therefore, while it is a shame that there is behind-the-scenes drama between Stallone and Winkler, I don’t think there’s any reason for Rocky to return inCreed 4.
