Warning: spoilers ahead for Creed 3.
Creed 3 does not see the return of Rocky Balboa and offers no explanation of where he is, but some conclusions can still be drawn. Sylvester Stallone announced long before Creed 3 released that he would not be reprising his role as Rocky, which brought disappointment from some quarters. After all, the entire franchise started because Stallone had a dream of making his Rocky film a reality.
Michael B. Jordan's portrayal of Adonis Creed is strong enough to carry Creed 3 without Stallone, though the fact that the film does not give any update on Rocky's whereabouts is odd. Creed 3 follows Adonis as he reunites with his childhood friend Damian. Adonis is retired in Creed 3, and is forced to get back in shape before his grudge match with Damian. The film sets Adonis up to be a mentor to other boxers, just like Rocky was to him, and there is little room for Stallone's character to make an appearance. Still, an explanation could have been included.
Rocky Is Likely In Philadelphia Or Vancouver In Creed 3
While Creed 3 does not explicitly say where Rocky is, there are a few possibilities. Rocky is from Philadelphia, and would only be in LA if he was training Adonis for a boxing match. Since Adonis is retired, he would not need Rocky to help him train for anything. The reason Rocky is not in Creed 3 could be as simple as there was no reason for him to be in LA. Another option is that he was in Vancouver with his son. In the Creed 2 ending, Rocky traveled to the Canadian city to reconcile with his estranged son. He might still be working on healing their relationship.
One Creed 3 theory suggested that Rocky's absence meant he had died. Such rumors were amplified by one scene in the trailer, which showcased a photo of Rocky and his boxing gloves. However, nothing in Creed 3 suggests this is the case. Rocky was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in Creed, but by the sequel, his condition seemed to have improved. The reason for Rocky's absence in Creed 3 could be health issues, although there is no explicit evidence to support this theory in Creed 3 itself.
Why Wasn't Sylvester Stallone's Rocky At Mary Anne Creed's Funeral?
The biggest mystery regarding Rocky missing in Creed 3 is why he was not at Mary Anne's funeral. After everything he and Adonis had been through, Rocky likely would have shown up to support him during such a devastating time. Whatever situation Rocky is in, it may have been too hard for him to fly all the way to LA for the funeral. Whether he is in Philadelphia, with his son in Vancouver, or battling an illness, there are many circumstances that may have prevented Rocky from making it to the funeral.
It is unfortunate that Creed 3 could not give a clear reason as to why Rocky was absent in the film. Stallone's character played such a crucial role throughout the series, it seems logical to send Rocky off with grace rather than uncertainty. It remains unclear whether Rocky will ever return to the franchise, but Stallone could still potentially return in Creed 4.