The decade-spanning Rocky franchise continues on without Sylvester Stallone, thanks to the Creed series, but Stallone has now revealed that, if the studio had their way, he would return for more solo outings as the beloved Rocky Balboa. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Stallone reveals that the studio is still trying to persuade him back into the ring – but they’re going to have to face him at the negotiating table first.

“No. It’s never gonna happen. It was a deal that was done unbeknownst to me by people that I thought were close to me and they basically gave away whatever rights I would have had. At the time I was so excited to be working and I didn’t understand this is a business. Who knew Rocky would go on for another 45 years? I’ve never used one [line of dialogue] from anyone else — and the irony is that I don’t own any of it. The people who have done literally nothing, control it.”

Only time will tell if this is ever resolved, with the studio planning to extend the Rocky franchise in any way it can.

Sylvester Stallone is Not Happy About a Potential Drago Spinoff

Word of a Drago spinoff was first reported last year, with Stallone taking to social media to declare his disappointment over such an idea. “Another Heartbreaker… Just found this out…ONCE AGAIN , this PATHETIC 94 year old PRODUCER and HIS MORONIC USELESS VULTURE CHILDREN, Charles And David , are once again picking clean THE BONES of another wonderful character I created without even telling me,” he said earlier this year, before making it clear that he holds no ill will towards Rocky IV co-star Dolph Lundgren. “I APOLOGIZE to the FANS , I never wanted ROCKY characters to be exploited by these parasites… By the way, I have nothing but respect for my true friend, Dolph Lundgren.”

Lundgren himself has since responded, revealing that talks are simply in the very early stages. “Just to set the record straight regarding a possible Drago spinoff,” he began. “There’s no approved script, no deals in place, no director and I was personally under the impression that my friend Sly Stallone was involved as a producer or even as an actor. There was a press leak last week which was unfortunate. In touch with Mr Balboa – just so all the fans can relax…There ya go.”

Sylvester Stallone will not be a part of the upcoming spinoff sequel, Creed III, which picks up with Michael B. Jordan’s boxer as he comes face-to-face with someone from his past. Creed III is scheduled to be released on March 3, 2023, by United Artists Releasing.