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Even though he has had an amazing role in the franchise, I'm okay with Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa not returning for a future movie in the series. Nine years after Stallone's iconic character fought in his final boxing match in 2006's Rocky Balboa, 2015's Creed revived the long-running franchise. However, instead of playing the main fighter, Rocky took on a coaching role in Creed and served as a father figure for Adonis. The 2015 film is arguably the best Rocky/Creed movie, and has led to several sequels.

While Rocky was a major character in the first two Creed movies, Stallone was not in Creed III. Following the success of the third film, Creed 4 has been confirmed to be in development and will once again be directed by franchise star Michael B. Jordan. Not many details about Creed 4 are currently known, but it is unlikely that Stallone will reprise his role in the film. While some longtime fans of the series are upset that Stallone may not return to the franchise, .

Even though Rocky was one of the best characters in the first two Creed movies, Stallone decided not to return for Creed III. Stallone has played some of the most iconic action heroes of all time, but has claimed that he doesn't like to see heroes go to dark places. Therefore, . Wishing the franchise would go in a different direction, Stallone decided not to appear in Creed III. In an interview with Variety before the release of the movie, he said:

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.

In addition to the different philosophy Stallone had regarding Creed III, he has been feuding with longtime Rocky producer Irvin Winkler for years. Stallone sold the rights to the franchise to Winkler when he was a struggling actor before the release of the first Rocky movie. Obviously, the franchise ended up being massively successful, but Stallone still doesn't have any of the rights. , which makes his return even less likely.

Rocky is a character that has had many ups and downs in his life. Between Rocky V and Rocky Balboa, he lost his wife, Adrian, and lost touch with his son, Robert. However, . Rocky received a happy ending in the 2006 film, but returning for two Creed movies allowed Stallone to properly pass the franchise on to someone new.

Creed II somewhat backtracked on the ending of Rocky Balboa and once again established that Rocky and Robert, who now has a son of his own, had lost touch. After Adonis beats Viktor Drago, Rocky decides to walk away from the boxing ring, telling him, "It's your time." After ensuring that Adonis could continue on his own, Rocky visits Robert and his grandson at their home in Vancouver., so there is no need for him to return in Creed 4.

Because of the ending of Creed II and Stallone's ongoing feud with Winkler, it is unlikely that Rocky will return in Creed 4. While this is disappointing for many fans, I don't think there's a reason for Stallone to return to the franchise. He led the franchise for years, but there are no longer any new directions for his character to go in. Furthermore, .

Additionally, the critical and commercial success of Creed III proved that the franchise can continue without Stallone. In fact, (via Rotten Tomatoes). Therefore, there's no reason to think that the fourth film will be any less critically acclaimed. Overall, while it is disappointing that Stallone is unhappy with the direction of the franchise and is part of an unfortunate feud with Winkler, there is no reason for him to reprise his role as Rocky in the Creed franchise.

Source: Variety