Many Rocky fans were surprised when Sylvester Stallone revealed that he would not be reprising his role in Creed III. Having played the character since his iconic introduction all the way back in 1976, Stallone’s decision not to appear in the latest installment of the Creed saga is like the end of an era for the character. In a lengthy interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stallone addressed why he chose not to appear in the movie, saying:

"That’s a regretful situation because I know what it could have been. It was taken in a direction that is quite different than I would’ve taken it. It’s a different philosophy – Irwin Winkler’s and Michael B. Jordan’s. I wish them well, but I’m much more of a sentimentalist. I like my heroes getting beat up, but I just don’t want them going into that dark space. I just feel people have enough darkness."

Stallone is still part of the Rocky spin-off sequel as producer, but he clearly has an issue with where the franchise has been taken in Creed III. How the movie will fare without the inclusion of Stallone, who even in a supporting role is a definite presence, is something that will be seen when the film is released in March 2023, but as Michael B Jordan’s baby now, it will win or lose the fight on its own merits.

Related: Dolph Lundren Responds to Sylvester Stallone's Drago Movie Criticism

Why Has Sylvester Stallone Stepped Back From The Rocky Franchise?

Creed
Warner Bros

While Sylvester Stallone is the face of the Rocky franchise, his disillusionment about the dark direction Creed III has taken is not the only reason the actor has had to reassess his involvement in the future of Rocky. Earlier this year, Stallone took to his social media accounts to share a rift between himself and Rocky producer Irwin Winkler, who the actor, writer and director of the original movie called a snake for “controlling Rocky for over 47 years” and said he would “really like to have at least a little of what’s left of my rights back before passing it on to only your children.”

That is not the first or last time Stallone mentioned the issues over the rights to the character and the franchise as a whole. Back in 2019, Stallone spoke of owning nothing of the original movie rights, which he said was something that was “painful” because he “wanted to leave something of Rocky for my children.”

There have been many feuds over the rights to popular movies, such as the lengthy legal battle around the Friday the 13th franchise, but when it comes to Rocky, as the writer, director and star of the movie, it is not unfair to say that without Stallone there wouldn’t be a franchise at all. It would be good to see the two parties come to some kind of sportsmanly compromise over the rights of Rocky one day, but for now, Stallone’s relationship with the franchise seems to be on the ropes and looking to avoid a knock-out punch.