With Sylvester Stallone not returning as Rocky Balboa in Creed III, someone needs to carry on the character's legacy - and Creed II already set up the perfect candidate. Since the first Rocky movie in 1976, the Italian Stallion has been the face of the franchise, even training Adonis Creed in both Creed spin-off movies. However, with Creed III being the first film in the series without Rocky, someone needs to take over Balboa's role in Adonis' life.
At the end of Creed II, Rocky travels to Vancouver in order to make up with his estranged son Rocky Jr., who has been separated from his father since sometime between Rocky Balboa and Creed. Not much is known about what happened to the two, but Rocky Jr.'s Creed II appearance could work as both a satisfying conclusion to Rocky's arc and a set-up for Creed III. Creed II even brought Milo Ventimiglia back from Rocky Balboa to play Rocky Jr. again, and it would be a waste for the actor to be done after just a few minutes of screen time. With Rocky gone, Adonis will most likely be going through an emotional journey in Creed III, and Rocky Jr. can help him get through it.
Rocky Jr. Can Carry On Rocky Balboa's Legacy
In the first Creed movie, Rocky acted in a parental role to Adonis, while also helping him cope with the loss of his father Apollo Creed at an early age. Rocky being gone will probably bring back many of these emotions, and bringing Rocky Jr. into Adonis' life could help him cope with these feelings. Much like how Rocky told stories about Apollo Creed to Adonis, filling the audience in on off-screen information, Rocky Jr. can serve the same purpose, filling the gaps between Rocky Balboa and Creed.
Adonis and Rocky Jr. also have several things in common. Both of them have lost their fathers, who were boxing legends. It has been implied that Rocky Jr. left Rocky in order to escape his shadow, and Adonis has also been struggling with the legacy of his father throughout the series. Rocky Jr. and Adonis also both have kids, with Rocky Jr. having Logan and Adonis having Amara. The two seem to be around the same age, and with so many things in common, they would be a perfect thematic pairing in Creed III.
Why Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Won't Be In Creed 3
Sylvester Stallone won't be in Creed III, leading to a lot of speculation as to what happened to Rocky Balboa. Sylvester Stallone has explained his Creed III absence, saying "[I] bowed out of ['Creed 3']. I just didn't know if there was any part for me. But I hear it's really interesting. It takes it in a different direction." This implies that there is a story explanation for Rocky's absence - most likely his death. Some possibilities include Rocky's cancer coming back, Rocky being killed by Creed III's villain, or him simply leaving Adonis to do something else. While Rocky Balboa's absence in Creed III will be sad, the previous film's setup of Rocky Jr. has already introduced the character that should carry on his legacy.
