Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Not Returning in Creed 2?

One of last year’s biggest surprise hits was the boxing dramaCreed, which put a new spin on the iconicRocky Balboastory, nine years afterSylvester Stallone’s last portrayal of the character, in 2006’sRocky Balboa. This time around, the former champ doesn’t get into the ring, but he is sought out to train young Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Rocky’s friend Apollo Creed. MGM has already announced plans forCreed 2, which the studio hopes to release in 2017, although it seems thatSylvester Stalloneis quite hesitant about playing Rocky Balboa once again. Here’s what he had to say toVariety, during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival last night.

“I really have mixed feelings about this, seriously. I feel like Rocky, at the end of this movie on the steps, with the help of a young man, and he looks out and says, ‘From here, you can see your whole life’ - it sort of summarizes the whole thing. I don’t know how much further you can push Rocky.”

Of course, the actor thought for years thatRocky Balboawould be his last movie, until writer-directorRyan Cooglermanaged to convince the icon to reprise his beloved role. The movie was an instant hit with fans and critics alike, taking in over $167 million at the worldwidebox office, from just a $35 million budget, withSylvester Stalloneconsidered by many to be the front runner to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in just a few weeks. It’s also worth noting that, just last month, the actor revealed a few story possibilities for the sequel as well.

Sylvester Stallonesaid that writer-directorRyan Coogleris toying with the possibility of bringingCarl Weathersback asApollo Creed, with part of the story taking place in the past, before Apollo died in the ring duringRocky IV. He also compared the sequel’s story toThe Godfather: Part II, which switched back and forth from the present to the past. However, it isn’t even known ifRyan Cooglerhimself can come back to direct.

The filmmaker recently signed on to directMarvel’sBlack Panther, which is already set for release on July 10, 2025. If MGM does plan on releasingCreed 2in late 2017, they very well may have to find another director to make this happen. Do you thinkSylvester Stalloneshould bring Rocky Balboa back inCreed 2? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more updates.