Sylvester Stallone Announces He's Retiring Rocky Balboa After 'Creed II'
Rocky Balboa is stepping out of the ring — for good.
Sylvester Stallone reprised his famous boxer character in "Creed II," which broke box office records over Thanksgiving weekend. But in an Instagram post, Stallone hinted that Rocky is retiring from the screen after 40 years and passing the gloves once and for all to Michael B. Jordan.
"It's been my ultimate privilege to have been able to create and play this meaningful character," he wrote in the caption.
"Though it breaks my heart, sadly all things must pass ... and end."
In the video, Stallone says, "This is probably my last rodeo because what I thought happened, it has happened, I never expected. I thought Rocky was over in 2006, and I was very happy with that.
" 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. And I couldn’t be happier because as I step back, as my story has been told, there’s a whole new world that’s gonna be opening up for the audience, for this generation."
"Creed II" certainly sets up a future where Rocky takes a seat on the sidelines, while Adonis is center ring. "This is your time," Rocky repeatedly tells his young protege. If there is a "Creed III," it will be without Rocky.