**Minor Spoilers for CREED II.**
Creed II has become the biggest box-office turnout for the Rocky franchise, a success that I think few could have imagined when the first Creed movie relaunched the franchise with Michael B. Jordan as the son of the late Apollo Creed. In both movies, actor Sylvester Stallone, the original Rocky, has reprised his role as the Italian Stallion, adding credibility to both films by essentially giving them his blessing, which is why this news from Stallone’s camp is so discouraging.
In a new Instagram post, the actor suggests that Rocky Balboa is leaving boxing behind for good again, after all the character initially retired from the ring in 2006’s Rocky Balboa. “This is probably my last rodeo,” Stallone remarks in the Instagram video announcing his retirement, which according to Yahoo, was filmed on Creed II’s last day of production.
In the post, Stallone says, “All things must pass and end,” and that “Rocky will never die because he lives on in you,” which is truly heartfelt and is one of those cases where it’s actually true. People across the board enjoy Rocky movies because they are about an underdog rising through hard work and dedication.
Creed II allowed Rocky to reconnect with his son, Rocky Jr., which is a much softer ending than some of the fates that were initially in Stallone’s mind, like dying after his street fight with Tommy Gunn. For Rocky to not die onscreen, but get to live on as a peaceful dad and grandfather, is the kind of ending that allows a character who has been so brutal to finally rest.
As for what that means for the Creed franchise, we will see. Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. admitted to Yahoo that, reading what Stallone wrote in the screenplay for Rocky, he was scared the character was going to die.
With Balboa still alive at the end of Creed II, there is always room for Stallone to change his mind for Creed III, and maybe to do a video call with Adonis so Stallone can be Rocky from anywhere. Still, I think it’s also very special to watch him pass the torch on to Michael B. Jordan and this new era of the series in his video:
“There’s a whole new world that’s going to be opening up for the audience, for this generation […] Now you have to carry the mantle.”
(via Yahoo News, image: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)
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