When Creed arrived in 2015, it did more than launch a new chapter for the iconic boxing saga; it nearly ended the journey of one of cinema’s most beloved underdogs.
Director Ryan Coogler’s earliest plan for Creed featured Rocky Balboa facing a devastating fate: being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and then dying by the film’s conclusion.
Sylvester Stallone, who created and embodied Rocky for decades, revealed in a GQ retrospective that he initially turned down the project for years because of how the original script would have ended.
Stallone felt strongly that on-screen deaths of legendary characters often sour the audience’s experience, saying he preferred the symbolic fadeout, leaving the future unknown, over anything as final as Rocky dying in the ring or a hospital bed.
He shared that even though Coogler was persistent and both had the same agent, the script’s proposed tragedy kept him away. Stallone explained his belief that audiences would be left “bummed out completely” and that Rocky’s presence meant more to fans than a shock ending could offer.
This creative standoff defined the film’s early development. It wasn’t until Coogler and the studio agreed to rewrite Rocky’s arc, pivoting from a terminal diagnosis to a story of hard-fought survival and mentorship, that Stallone finally joined the cast.
What followed was a surprising critical and box office hit that honored both Adonis Creed’s rise and Rocky’s enduring resilience.
The Franchise at a Crossroads: Creative Battles Behind the Scenes
The possibility of Rocky dying from ALS wasn’t just heartbreaking for fans; it represented high stakes for the Creed franchise and for Stallone’s legacy.
Industry analysts and entertainment reporters quickly seized on the story after Stallone’s recent interview, recognizing how this single narrative decision shaped the course of a billion-dollar film series.
Rocky Balboa (Credit: NBC)
If Rocky’s story had ended so abruptly, Creed might have risked not only alienating fans of the original films but also closing the door on Stallone’s involvement in Creed II and perhaps even stunting the franchise’s future growth.
Instead, by letting Rocky struggle and survive through illness, Creed introduced a more nuanced, vulnerable version of the character without stripping away his core strength. That balance helped the film attract standing ovations, an Oscar nomination for Stallone, and a wave of new interest in the Rocky-verse.
This conflict also highlighted how studios and creators manage legacy heroes. Stallone’s preference for leaving endings open, rather than defined by death or defeat, reflects a broader debate about when and how much to upend beloved stories.
Hollywood franchises are increasingly seeking methods to transition from torch-bearing roles, and Stallone’s approach with Rocky serves as a model for managing nostalgia and change without compromising audience loyalty.
What It Means for the Future: Rocky’s Unfinished Story and Creed’s Next Act
With Stallone’s resistance averting Rocky’s demise in Creed, the character lived to fight another (metaphorical) day, returning in Creed II but sitting out the third film.
Rumors of a fourth Creed film remain hot online, especially with Michael B. Jordan expressing interest in continuing Adonis Creed’s journey and fans still hoping for at least a cameo from Stallone’s Rocky.
The recent revelations about the original script place new emphasis on how close the Rocky saga came to an abrupt end. Social media is buzzing with reactions from longtime fans, many affirming that Rocky’s continued survival leaves the door open for new stories and a mentoring legacy that can still evolve.
These discussions also highlight an industry-wide tension: finding meaningful, respectful ways to evolve iconic franchises without undercutting what made them resonate in the first place.
As Stallone’s experience suggests, sometimes the boldest creative decision is to let hope linger instead of closing the curtain outright. For now, Rocky Balboa’s most unexpected fight may be the one that wasn’t filmed, a battle for the heart and soul of the series he started, and a reminder that even legends can get a second act.
Scott Cooper, the director of Deliver Me From Nowhere, hasn’t ruled out the idea of continuing the cinematic saga of Bruce Springsteen’s life after the initial biopic’s release. This film focused tightly on a pivotal but heavily introspective chapter of Springsteen’s crafting of the 1982 album Nebraska.
The story laid bare not the glimmers of stardom but the artistic and emotional solitude that shaped the creation of one of Springsteen’s most celebrated works.
Jeremy Allen White’s portrayal of Springsteen depicted the complex struggles of the artist retreating into isolation, wrestling with internal demons, and his artistic direction.
While critical reception was generally positive, the film deliberately avoided typical music biopic glamor, opting instead for a moodier and more psychological tone. This fresh take captured an important, though less flashy, part of Springsteen’s career. Yet, Scott Cooper sees this film as just one act in a much larger story.
Speaking at the AFI Fest and in interviews with Variety, Cooper expressed a vision for multiple films about Springsteen: “If you can make four Beatles movies, you can make a couple of Bruce Springsteen movies.” This comparison highlights the wealth of narrative material available throughout Springsteen’s long and varied career.
Not only does Cooper believe the musician’s life has many cinematic chapters, but he also revealed that Springsteen himself supports the idea of a sequel.
The director and the rock icon reportedly have talked about the possibility of exploring more periods of the singer’s journey. The positive collaboration lends stronger credence to future projects beyond the debut film.
Why a Bruce Springsteen Sequel Is More Than Just Fan Wishful Thinking
The story of Deliver Me From Nowhere meticulously captured Springsteen’s emotional landscape rather than his public image. It focused on his mental health and solitude during the Nebraska sessions, showing how the artist fought with identity and creative direction.
The biopic’s tone and pacing may have limited its box office appeal among younger audiences and casual viewers, but it resonated deeply with fans who appreciate a more realistic and raw portrayal over spectacle.
Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere (Credit: 20th Century Studios)
The musical legend’s life beyond Nebraska is ripe for further film exploration. Iconic moments like the rise of the E Street Band, the explosive success of albums like Born in the U.S.A., and Springsteen’s evolution into a global storyteller provide rich, dramatic material.
These chapters offer an opportunity to broaden the story from the isolated, moody phase of Nebraska to Springsteen’s eventual embrace of larger-than-life rock anthems and his social and political engagements.
Cooper’s ambition to document these phases could keep the tone grounded and honest while expanding the scope. He wants to avoid the glamorized clichés of star biographies, maintaining an insightful focus on who Springsteen is behind the scenes and his struggles, doubts, and growth.
Jeremy Allen White himself has noted the difficulty of portraying Springsteen authentically, mentioning the difference between public performances and private moments, highlighting the complexity of the man being represented on screen.
Challenges and Prospects for the Springsteen Biopic Franchise
While the director’s plans sound promising, the initial film’s box office performance shows the challenges of marketing a nuanced, somber musical biopic in today’s entertainment environment. The film opened to modest earnings, hindered partly by its moodier tone and competition from bigger blockbuster releases.
It drew more attention from an older demographic and loyal music fans than from younger or wider audiences. This narrow appeal may influence how future installments are shaped and promoted.
Still, the possibility of exploring iconic eras of Springsteen’s life carries significant artistic potential. Cooper’s mentioning of the Beatles movies directed by Sam Mendes points to a trend of dissecting legendary lives in multiple cinematic parts, each film offering fresh perspectives on familiar figures.
Springsteen’s story offers multiple angles worth cinematic attention, from deeply personal moments to major milestones in rock history.
Moreover, Springsteen’s personal blessing means the sequels could benefit from access and insight that would elevate their authenticity and depth. Fans and critics alike have shown interest in seeing more raw, layered storytelling about an artist whose career spans decades of cultural and personal evolution.
If sequels move forward, future films might capture the transition from introspective solo work to rock legend status, chronicling how Springsteen embraced his role not only as a musician but as a symbol of working-class America.
This progression could create a compelling narrative arc that balances intimate character study with broader historical and political context, potentially appealing to a wider audience.
