Sylvester Stallone's Rocky 7 could finally happen after Creed 3, as there are plenty of reasons for the franchise to continue. Michael B. Jordan has become the face of the Creed franchise in recent years thanks to the success of the trilogy focused on Adonis Creed. Creed 3 officially separated itself from the original six-film Rocky franchise by not including Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa, a first for a movie in this universe. Even though he did not appear, the movie still could not escape Rocky's shadow, as questions about his life were created thanks to the movie's story. It left an even greater interest from audiences to see Stallone return.
There are hurdles to overcome if Sylvester Stallone is ever going to play Rocky Balboa again, but the best chance of it happening is in Rocky 7. The former franchise star has indicated that he does not intend to play Rocky as a supporting character again, ruling out appearances in Creed 4 or any other spinoffs. Instead, Stallone could finally get his wish of making Rocky 7 happen. He has been open about his interest in continuing the Italian Stallion's story in this capacity, and the success of Creed 3 might mean that it is finally time for Sylvester Stallone's Rocky 7.
10 Rocky 7 Became Possible After Rocky Balboa Became A Success
The idea of Rocky 7 happening has been around for years, as Sylvester Stallone first began considering the movie after Rocky Balboa's success. The sixth film starring Rocky released in 2006 and was surprisingly well-received. Rocky Balboa earned the franchise's best reviews since the original film and made more money at the box office than Rocky V. The modest success of the film showed some signs of life for the Rocky franchise. It was not until after the Creed movies helped really revitalize the series that more serious conversations about making Rocky 7 with Sylvester Stallone began.
9 Rocky Franchise Producer Stopped Rocky 7 Happening
The main reason that Rocky 7 has not happened yet is due to complications from franchise producer Irwin Winkler. Winkler holds some of the rights to Rocky Balboa as a character, but he and Stallone's relationship has deteriorated over the years. This led to the franchise star saying that Winkler messed up the development of Rocky 7. Stallone has indicated that the longtime Rocky franchise producer pulled the plug on the new Rocky movie once he began asking for a piece of the financial success. While Winkler still is in control of Rocky's rights, the film has still been worked on in hopes the issue will be resolved eventually.
8 Amazon Could Look To Expand The Rocky Franchise
A key to Rocky 7 happening after Creed 3 is Amazon's interest in expanding the franchise. The studio has already announced plans to make Creed 4 and is considering various spinoffs, as well as an anime series. All the projects discussed so far have been connected to the films centered around Michael B. Jordan's character. But, it would be a waste of the IP for Amazon to not try and utilize more of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Balboa. The star has teased a possible show that explores Rocky's origin, but Rocky 7 starring Sylvester Stallone is a much bigger way to expand the franchise.
7 Sylvester Stallone Has Already Planned Rocky 7’s Story
The good news for whenever Rocky 7 happens is that Sylvester Stallone already has the story planned out. He began developing the film in 2019 and has revealed bits of excerpts that would eventually be used to create the screenplay. The film is meant to tap into the Rocky franchise's roots of being an immigrant, as Balboa would meet Chucho the Mutt, a young foreign boxer who was stuck in America illegally. Rocky 7's story would explore the bond that forms between the two men, as well as highlight more of how Rocky copes with Adrian's death. Since most of the narrative is already planned, the movie could happen quickly.
6 Rocky's Role In The Creed Movies Is Over
Another reason for Sylvester Stallone to star in Rocky 7 is that Rocky Balboa's role in the Creed movies is over. The first two movies showed the incredible bond that formed between Rocky and Adonis, but Creed 2's ending saw them go their separate ways. Rocky's Creed story ended with him going to Vancouver to spend time with his son Robert Balboa Jr. and his family. He served his purpose in Adonis' life by training him to become a champion and defeat Viktor Drago. Now that Adonis is a retired boxer himself, a major reason for Rocky to return has been lost.
5 Sylvester Stallone's Creed 3 Absence Makes Rocky 7 More Likely
Sylvester Stallone's Creed 3 absence is also a sign that Rocky 7 is more likely to happen after the movie. It indicates that there is no real future for Stallone in the spinoff franchise. Rocky's return in Creed 4 would feel a bit contrived at this point, as him missing major life events like Mary Anne's death and Adonis stepping back into the ring would be even more confusing. Meanwhile, Stallone's Rocky 7 would be a natural way to explore more of the character's life and put him back as the focus of the story.
4 Rocky Balboa's Story Still Has Unresolved Questions
Rocky 7 happening after Creed 3 would also be a way for the franchise to answer some lingering Rocky Balboa questions. The movie would be an opportunity to potentially bring back some Rocky characters and resolve storylines between them and Balboa. For example, the film would also be a chance to dive deeper into what happened between Rocky and Robert Balboa Jr. between Rocky Balboa and Creed 2. Their falling out needs to be properly explored, especially as Rocky has developed a near father-son relationship with Adonis instead.
3 Rocky 7's Story Needs To Be Told After Mary Anne's Creed 3 Death
Rocky 7's story could also be a timely one to tell after Mary Anne's death in Creed 3. A big part of Sylvester Stallone's idea for what happens to Rocky Balboa next includes him continuing to process Adrian's death. While he might have thought he grieved properly and was in a good spot after so many years, learning that Apollo Creed's wife and Adonis' adopted mother has died could make some suppressed feelings he had from his wife's passing resurface. It might not have been intentional at the time, but this would allow Rocky 7 to have a strong connection to Creed 3 and explain Sylvester Stallone's absence.
2 Rocky 7's New Fighter Could Set Up More Spinoffs
Another reason why Rocky 7 could happen after Creed 3 is the ability of the film to set up additional spinoffs for Amazon. This could most clearly be done through the new fighter Chucho the Mutt whom Rocky helps train. If Rocky 7 shows the bond that is formed between the two characters and makes audiences really care about Chucho, there would be room for him to get a spinoff. Amazon could then launch another Creed-style franchise spinoff that follows the Mexican boxer, possibly even allowing him and Felix Chavez to eventually cross paths.
1 Rocky 7 Can End Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Arc (For Good)
Sylvester Stallone making Rocky 7 after Creed 3 would also create an opportunity for Rocky Balboa's arc to end once and for all. Stallone has been part of several fake endings for Rocky, as the movies have "ended" his story three times already. Rocky V, Rocky Balboa, and Creed 2 all gave potential endings to the Italian Stallion's career, and yet he continued to come back for more. Rocky 7 has the potential to be the actual swan song for Sylvester Stallone's iconic movie character and give the character a proper goodbye.
