As the third Creed film moves ahead with star Michael B. Jordan stepping up to direct, there was plenty of reason to wonder whether Sylvester Stallone – who, after all, is mainly responsible for it, since it springs from the world of Rocky – would return. There was speculation last year when he indicated he may not and now The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that he won't take part.
Stallone recently replied to a comment on Instagram with word that he is skipping the third instalment and now there is even more official word.
No reason was given, but you've got to figure that this represents Stallone happy to step away and let Jordan and co. Plus, he's been busy with his own Rocky-related projects, including a new cut of Rocky IV and a potential prequel series that would chronicle Rocky Balboa's life before the events of the original film.
Creed 3, meanwhile, should be shooting this year for a release in late 2022. And of course, there's still plenty of time for a surprise Sly cameo...