Rocky Retcon Saved Franchise?

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always held Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise as the epitome of underdog sports narratives. It was reinvigorated with fresh energy after the debut of the Creed spin-off series, featuring the talented Michael B. Jordan. The Rocky saga has a captivating background; the 1976 original film earned the Best Picture accolade at the Academy Awards, catapulting Stallone into global stardom. Over the years, the series chronicled Rocky Balboa’s journey as he battled formidable opponents repeatedly before eventually handing over the mantle to his protégé, Adonis Creed, and assuming a supporting role in the spin-off movies.

The Creed series acknowledges and honors the legacy of Rocky by incorporating many references and recurring characters from earlier installments. However, it should be noted that certain plot points were rewritten or retconned to accommodate the new storyline. As a spin-off produced 37 years after the original movie, Creed centers around the illegitimate child of Rocky’s former rival Apollo Creed, which initially seemed inconsistent with some previously established details about the champion boxer. Initially, these alterations may have felt abrupt, but this thoughtful retcon was essential for keeping the Rocky series fresh and relatable in today’s era.

Revealing Adonis As Apollo Creed’s Son Felt Like A Rocky Retcon

Apollo’s Affair Feels Out Of Step With His Character

Apollo Creed, known for being boastful, self-assured, and sometimes haughty, was Rocky Balboa’s main opponent, recurring rival, eventual ally, and a key character in the first four Rocky films. However, in later movies, it was surprising to find out that Michael B. Jordan’s character Adonis was Apollo’s son from an affair outside of his marriage. This revelation contradicted our previous understanding of Apollo as a dedicated family man who appeared devoted to his wife, Mary Anne, and their children, Alexander and Artemis, in the original Rocky movies.

Initially playing the antagonist in the first Rocky, Apollo eventually developed a friendship with Rocky throughout the series, revealing more about his personality. As a dedicated and focused fighter, Apollo prepared Rocky for his rematch against Clubber Lang in Rocky III, mirroring how Rocky would later mentor Adonis in the Creed films. Given that his life revolved around boxing and family, it was surprising to discover that he had fathered a child just before his death in Rocky IV.

Discovering that Adonis was secretly born third after Apollo died in the ring fight against Ivan Drago in Rocky IV seemed like a plot twist (or “retcon”), since it wasn’t suggested before. However, this new detail gave Adonis’ character more depth because his challenging upbringing made him a true underdog compared to if the story had centered on Apollo’s wealthier son. Adonis, with his boxing genes and being a troubled youth who spent time at a detention center, saw boxing as an opportunity to change his life for the better.

The Creed Movies Saved The Rocky Franchise

Creed Pushed The Franchise In An Interesting New Direction

Introducing a backstory about Apollo Creed’s affair helped establish the narrative for the “Creed” series, as the original film is iconic but the series experienced some rough patches after it. For instance, “Rocky II” and “Rocky IV” are highly regarded sports films, yet “Rocky V” was a disappointing sequel filled with excessive melodrama and a poorly planned street fight. However, “Rocky Balboa” in 2006 served as a suitable conclusion to Rocky’s storyline. To keep the series fresh, a change of direction was essential.

In this scenario, Creed entered the picture, and its arrival came as a surprise after fans believed the series had concluded permanently nine years prior. This fresh installment invigorated the franchise and marked the beginning of an exhilarating new chapter. By having Rocky assume a mentorship position, Creed essentially symbolized a handover of responsibility, enabling Sylvester Stallone to remain connected without compelling him to portray an aged Rocky in another bout. The films’ themes revolved around identity, strife, and self-worth, with Adonis being a multi-layered character that added emotional richness and significance to the Creed movies, a quality that was seemingly absent from the final Rocky films.

The Creed Movies Have Already Eclipsed Rocky In One Important Way

Rocky Was Never As Consistently Great As Creed

In the ongoing debate about which is superior, Rocky or Creed, it’s worth noting that the Creed series has achieved a remarkable feat that the original Rocky films struggled to match. The reason being, all three Creed movies have been exceptionally well-crafted, whereas Rocky III seemed underwhelming and unnecessary, and Rocky V, unfortunately, is infamous for being the worst film in the entire franchise. With a consistent high standard, director Ryan Coogler has positioned Creed on an exceptional trajectory, and each movie offers something thought-provoking and essential.

Initially, “The original Creed ” was an inspiring tale underdog that capitalized on the elements that made “Rocky ” a hit in 1976 while giving its themes a contemporary twist. In “Creed II”, Adonis found himself in a deeply emotional battle against Viktor Drago, the son of the boxer who took his father’s life, creating an exceptional movie that explored the lingering pain of his character. For “Creed III”, Jonathan Majors entered the scene as a fresh antagonist, a childhood friend turned adversary who manipulates Adonis’s kindness to build his own boxing empire.

In the role of director for “Creed III”, Michael B. Jordan stepped up from Ryan Coogler, showcasing an intense dedication to his new position. The series has consistently found the perfect blend of honoring its roots while forging ahead independently. Although Sylvester Stallone was absent from “Creed III”, Jordan hinted (through Sports Illustrated) that there might be a possibility of Stallone reprising his role in future films, such as “Creed IV”, which is currently being developed. Despite its origins in a retcon, the success of “Creed” has led to an impressive trilogy so far.

2025-05-10 16:05