Sylvester Stallone recently admitted regretting the decision to kill off Carl Weathers' Apollo Creed inRocky IV. It looks like he may have been trying to remedy that situation by bringing the character back as a ghost inCreed 2, according to Ivan Drago actor Dolph Lundgren. The sequel is about dealing with the ghosts of the past, but it looks like Stallone was thinking of literally bringing back a ghost, though the actor has not confirmed this bit of storytelling. It seems like it was a wise choice to leave that scene out.
Brigitte Nielsen was spotted around theCreed 2set during production and fans knew that her Ludmilla character was going to make an appearance. Nielsen’s part in the movie was a fan-favorite, but it was nearlyCarl Weathersinstead. Dolph Lundgren recently took part in a Q&A session at Monster-Mania Con 42 in New Jersey and talked about Apollo’s ghost. He had this to say.
“It was a great idea I thought (to bring Nielsen back). In the original first draft it wasApollocame back. Or like his ghost or something. It was a little hokey, you know. So I think it was much better to bring Brigitte back.”
It seems that Dolph Lundgren is right on track with his assessment of bringing back Carl Weathers as a ghost inCreed 2and it not being a good idea. In a recent birthday shout out to Weathers,Sylvester Stallone heaped praise on the Apollo Creed actor, calling him “the best cinema boxer of all time.” Stallone went on to say, “I have to admit I regret having Apollo passing away so soon. He was Irreplaceable.” Maybe bringing back Apollo’s ghost was a way to feel better about theRocky IVdecision.
Creed 2was another hit for Sylvester Stallone and theRockyfranchise as a whole. Shortly after the movie took over the box office, Stallone revealed that he was retiring hisRocky Balboarole. This isn’t the first time that Stallone has retired from the role over the years and Dolph Lundgren believes that he will return when the dust settles. So, maybe we’ll get to see that Apollo ghost after all in a possibleCreed 3if Stallone decides to carry on.
If Sylvester Stallone really wanted to bring back Carl Weathers, a flashback scene seems like it would have been the way to go forCreed 2. Regardless, going without the Apollo ghost was a wise move when all is said and done. The movie might have gotten dinged by long-time fans and critics for including a supernatural scene in a boxing movie. It worked for Carl Weathers inHappy Gilmore, but it would have stuck out like a sore, broken wooden hand, had it been included inCreed 2. The Apollo Creed ghost news was first reported byCinemaBlend.
