Creed 3 will not feature Rocky Balboa as played by Sylvester Stallone, but there is a specific reason for that. The film continues the story of Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s friend who was murdered by Ivan Drago in Rocky IV. Stallone’s famous boxer played a pivotal role in the spin-off franchise, serving as Adonis’ coach through Beliefs and Creed 2. However, the character does not return for the third installment of the series. His absence was accentuated by the first trailer for Creed 3which, aside from a brief mention of Rocky, focused solely on Adonis, his family, and his backstory.
This is the first time Stallone isn’t featured in a rockyuniverse film since the franchise’s inception in 1976. Stallone explained his absence in Creed 3 during an interview with Metro UK: “[I] bow out [‘Creed 3’]. I just didn’t know if there was a part for me. But I hear it’s very interesting. It’s going in a different direction. I wish them the best and keep hitting.” The actor’s decision not to return makes sense from a storytelling standpoint, because Beliefs clearly shifts its focus solely to its titular character. It’s also understandable when you consider what happened at the end of Rocky Balboa Creed 2.
What will happen to Rocky In Creed 2
Although they only played him in a supporting role, the first two were Beliefs movies provided an extended character arc for Rocky. In the first film, he struggled with the idea of ​​taking on Adonis as his protégé while also dealing with cancer. Throughout the film, however, Adonis gave the seasoned boxer a new perspective on life. Through Creed 2Rocky had recovered from his illness, but he was forced to come to terms with the traumatic loss of his friend, Apollo Creed, when Ivan Drago returned into his life with his son Viktor and Adonis. Creed 2 posed a severe emotional challenge to Rocky, as he dealt with the possibility of losing Adonis in the same way that Apollo Creed died in rocky 4.
Rocky agreed to retrain Michael B. Jordan’s character to fight Drago’s son. Adonis defeated Viktor in their final fight, after which Rocky approached him. He stretched out his hand to fist fist with Adonis and told him: “it’s your timeIt was a touching moment that served as Rocky’s passing the baton. The scene signaled that his time as a lead actor had come to an end and it was time for Adonis Creed to step into the limelight. sign that Rocky was at peace, knowing that Adonis was experienced and fit enough to continue on his own.
Can Sylvester Stallone still appear in Creed 3?
The trailer for Creed 3 seems to indicate that Rocky Balboa is still alive. As such, although Stallone chose not to appear in the film, there may still be an opportunity for him to make his presence felt in the film, if only through a flashback or cameo, similar to Milo Ventimiglia’s appearance. as Robert Balboa in Creed 2. Stallone is a producer on Creed 3, so that he appears in the film, even if only for a short scene, is feasible. Fortunately, it is unlikely that Rocky will not play a prominent role Creed 3 negative.
The Beliefs series has built a story that stands on its own. The property is undoubtedly part of the rocky universe, but its universal themes of overcoming adversity and seeking identity allow it to exist in its own story bubble. Given that, although the absence of Sylvester Stallone‘s Rocky Balboa is a major status quo shift for the rocky universe, Creed 3 can thrive without having the character as the central figure in its story.
