Sylvester Stallone revealed that he was hesitant to accept his role in Creed when the project was first introduced, mainly because he disagreed with Ryan Coogler’s original concept for Rocky Balboa’s story arc. The actor discussed his doubts during a recent interview with GQ, emphasizing that he was not comfortable with the film’s direction at the start.
Concerns Over Rocky’s Character Arc in Early Drafts
Stallone explained that he avoided participating in the film for several years because the initial script drafted by Coogler depicted Rocky Balboa as suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), which would ultimately lead to his death. He felt this storyline would deeply sadden the audience.
I dodged that bullet for two years, three years,
Stallone recalled.
And Ryan Coogler was very persistent, kept pushing it. And we had the same agent, but I didn’t want to do it, because the way he had written it, Rocky dies. He gets Lou Gehrig’s disease [also known as ALS].
The idea of Rocky dying did not sit well with Stallone, as he believed it would negatively affect viewers’ experience.
Revised Storyline Leads to Stallone’s Agreement
Eventually, Coogler and co-writer Aaron Covington changed Rocky’s diagnosis in the script to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a condition that Rocky battles but ultimately survives in the film. This adjustment made Stallone more comfortable with the project.
So once we got over that, I said, okay, we’ll give it a shot,
Stallone explained.
And it was a lot of dramatic acting in that, ’cause I couldn’t use my body. I’m not fighting. So that was a good challenge. And it turned out pretty well.
Stallone’s Continued Legacy and Collaboration with Michael B. Jordan
Having written all six original Rocky films and directed four, Stallone’s work on Creed earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He praised Michael B. Jordan’s dedication to the role, highlighting how both actors were deeply invested in the film’s emotional weight. Jordan has since starred in two sequels, Creed II (2018) and Creed III (2023), expanding the franchise further.
Future Prospects for the Creed Series
Michael B. Jordan is slated to return for a fourth installment of the series, not only as the lead but also as the director. However, no official release date has been announced for Creed IV as of now.
