It’s the end of the line for Rocky Balboa, and there ain’t gonna be no rematch.
After returning this month as a coach in the box-office heavyweight Creed II, Sylvester Stallone announced that he’s retiring the character of the Philly boxing phenom for good.
“I just want to thank everyone around the whole wide World for taking the Rocky family into their hearts for over 40 years,” Stallone posted on Instagram, proclaiming the end to his participation in the 42-year-old, eight-movie franchise. “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. I love you Kind and generous people, and The most wonderful thing of all, is that ROCKY will never die because he lives on in you ….”
In the Instagram video, Stallone throws in the towel on the Italian Stallion alongside Creed II star Michael B. Jordan, adding that he thought he had reached the end of the Rocky road in 2006. “As I step back, as my story has been told, there’s a whole new world that’s going to be opening up for the audience, for a new generation … Now you have to carry the mantle,” he says, raising Jordan’s fist.