Sylvester Stallone is hanging up his gloves

Sylvester Stallone is tapping out.
The actor on Wednesday suggested he is retiring his most famous character, Rocky Balboa, and will not reprise the role after Creed II, which is currently playing in theaters. He made the announcement in an Instagram video taken from the set of the new film, calling it the "ultimate privilege" to play the character. "Though it breaks my heart, sadly all things must pass...and end," he said. Stallone in the video also says that Creed II is "probably my last rodeo," and he tells actor Michael B. Jordan, who leads the Creed franchise, that he must now "carry the mantle."
"I couldn't be happier as I step back because my story has been told," he says. "The most wonderful thing of all is that Rocky will never die because he lives on in you."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Stallone first played Rocky Balboa more than four decades ago in the 1976 film Rocky, which spawned five sequels released from 1979 through 2006. In 2015, the series was revived in the form of a spin-off, Creed, which focuses on the son of Apollo Creed, who Rocky fights in the original movie. Its sequel, Creed II, opened on Nov. 21 and achieved the best Thanksgiving opening weekend ever for a live-action film. Stallone plays Rocky in both movies.
While Stallone may be saying farewell to Rocky, that doesn't mean he has no iconic characters left to reprise on screen, as a fifth Rambo movie titled Last Blood is currently in the works. Watch Stallone's goodbye video below. Brendan Morrow
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
A wine-themed tour of beautiful Uruguay
The Week Recommends Secret paradise in South America boasts beautiful vineyards
By The Week UK Published
-
Romanian democracy: no place for the 'TikTok messiah' Calin Georgescu
Talking Point State is 'fighting back' against poster boy for right-wing conspiracists
By The Week UK Published
-
5 terrifically taxing cartoons about tariffs
Cartoons Artists take on rising prices, dumb ideas, and more
By The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published