After enthralling audiences as Rocky for four decades, Sylvester Stallone announced that he would no longer be playing the iconic character. He referred to his appearance in the recently released film Creed 2 as his ‘last rodeo’ and said that Michael B.Jordan’s character in the film would be continuing the legacy. In a message on Instagram he said,
I thought Rocky was over in 2006 and I was very happy with that, and then all of a sudden this young man presented himself and the whole story changed. It went on to a new generation, new problems, new adventures.Sylvestor Stallone, actor
In the Creed series, Rocky is a retired champ as he trains a new protege, while dealing with the challenges of middle age.
Stallone is very happy with the way things turned out for the Rocky series which began all the way back in 1976 and chronicled the life of an underdog boxer.
He acknowledges some of the cast and crew of the film, in a video that was shot on the last day of the shoot of Creed 2.
Stallone expressed his sadness over letting go of the character, but said that it was important for him to move on. He told AFP,
It’s been my ultimate privilege to have been able to create and play this meaningful character. Though it breaks my heart, Sadly all things must pass... and end.Sylvestor Stallone, actor
The first Rocky went on to win three Academy Awards including Best Director, Best Picture and Best Film Editing. In spite of being nominated thrice in the Best Actor category, the Oscar eluded Stallone.
(Source: Agence France-Presse )
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