The final trailer for Creed III is out, and it's causing many viewers to wonder if Rocky Balboa actually died in Creed II. It's been five years since the release of Creed II, with many Rocky and Creed fans wanting to get refreshed on the franchise so far before seeing the upcoming sequel. The final Creed III trailer seems to hint that Rocky isn't around anymore, with the character last being seen in Creed II.
In the final Creed III trailer, Adonis Creed can be seen looking at some kind of display that contains a picture of Rocky as well as his iconic boxing gloves. The advertising campaign for Creed III has had a pretty somber tone, implying that something tragic has happened, and this Rocky moment in the final trailer only doubles down on these theories.
So, here's what happened to Sylvester Stallone's Rocky in Creed II and why he won't be returning for Creed III.
Rocky Balboa Did Not Die In Creed 2
Rocky Balboa had a major role in Creed II, and while he did have a lot of emotional moments in the film, he didn't die. The film ends with Rocky traveling to Vancouver, Canada in order to make up with his estranged son Robert Jr. Although Rocky did get diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the first Creed movie, he seemingly recovered before the events of Creed II. Rocky is still alive at the end of Creed II, meaning that something else had to have happened to him in between films.
Why Sylvester Stallone's Rocky Isn't In Creed 3
Sylvester Stallone has already announced that he won't be in Creed III, meaning that the film will somehow have to explain his absence. Surprisingly, the decision to not return as Rocky was Sylvester Stallone's. Sylvester Stallone has already explained his decision not to appear in Creed III, and it's due to the fact that he just felt like there wasn't a place for him in the film. According to Stallone, Creed III goes in a different direction from previous entries in the franchise, and the actor just didn't feel like Rocky Balboa needed to be there.
Will Rocky Die In Creed 3?
Rocky didn't die in Creed II, but since he's not in the upcoming film, Rocky may die in Creed III. Stallone won't be in the film, meaning that the death will probably happen off-screen or between films, but the likelihood of Rocky's death is still high. In Creed, Rocky refused to do chemotherapy after being diagnosed with lymphoma, and the cancer coming back could be what possibly kills Rocky.
However, there is a possibility that Rocky Balboa doesn't die in Creed III. The film could play off of the ending of Creed II and say that Rocky moved to Canada to be with his son. It's impossible to know exactly how Creed III will explain Rocky's absence, but it seems as if the reasoning with either be heartwarming or tragic.
