Sylvester Stallone discusses the “interesting” plot of Creed III, in which the plot continues without him in a different route. Stallone co-wrote and featured in John G. Avildsen’s Rocky more than 40 years ago. The film presented viewers to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, also known as the “Italian Stallion,” a hired muscle from Philadelphia who is given the chance of a lifetime when he is selected to fight Apollo Creed, the world’s heavyweight champion, portrayed by Carl Weathers. Rocky’s cultural influence prompted numerous sequels, which at first appeared to come to an end with 2006’s Rocky Balboa. Stallone wanted for the sixth movie to be the farewell song for his enduring persona after the incredibly unsuccessful Rocky V. Instead, it became a major factor in the franchise’s resurgence.
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures
In a spinoff starring Micheal B. Jordan as Adonis Johnson, the bastard son of Apollo Creed, Stallone was persuaded to make his comeback as a trainer, mentor, and father figure by writer-director Ryan Coogler. Both Creed and Creed II were box office and critical hits; Stallone’s portrayal of the Italian Stallion in the former earned him his second Oscar nomination in 40 years. Rocky took one last bow in Creed II and then effectively handed the director’s chair over to Jordan, who would helm Creed III in its entirety. Following his rumored departure from the franchise, Stallone has since expressed his opinions on the upcoming movie.
He recently talked about what fans might anticipate from Creed III in an interview with Metro at the UK premiere of Paramount+. Stallone, who decided not to participate in the movie, became a its producer and has hinted that it will be “really interesting.” He added, “It takes it in a different direction. I wish them well and keep punching!”
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures
These remarks seem to be another evidence that Stallone won’t be in Creed III, which is fitting given how its prequel finished. It was revealed in 2021 that Michael B. Jordan would helm Creed III, following in the footsteps of Stallone, who directed every Rocky films, apart from the original. The movie will also see Tessa Thompson‘s Bianca and Phylicia Rashad’s Mary Anne Creed to reprise their roles, together with Jordan’s Adonis. Anderson Dame, Adonis’ upcoming foe, will be played by Jonathan Majors, who previously starred in Loki and Lovecraft Country. The threequel is prepared to concentrate more on its identity as an independent narrative and less on nostalgia as it remixes the franchise’s standard formula since it is the first Rocky movie sans Sylvester Stallone.
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures
After Rocky (and Rambo), Sylvester Stallone will feature in a superhero film named Samaritan, The Expendables 4, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Tulsa King, a Paramount+ television series. Fans may not get to see Stallone’s Balboa again with those movies on the schedule. Nevertheless, the 75-year-old actor keeps hinting that the Italian Stallion will appear in a future Rocky prequel television series. It will be interesting to watch whether it occurs. While waiting for Creed III to hit theaters next year, Stallone’s endorsement has increased enthusiasm.
Below is the teaser for Tulsa King, the upcoming show that Stallone is starring in: