Sylvester Stallone Regrets Killing Apollo Creed in ‘Rocky IV’

Sylvester Stallone says he regrets killing off Apollo Creed in Rocky IV and shares how he would've written things differently today.

In a video shared to his Instagram showing the making of the new director's cut of the film, Stallone says that instead of killing Apollo, he would have had him sustain some sort of paralysis that resulted in him being in a wheelchair.

"If I had to do it all over again, I never would have killed Apollo. Absolutely. It was foolish," said Stallone. "I thought I needed that kind of springboard to project the drama...Him in a wheelchair, he would've assumed the role of Mickey. Now his physicality has been diminished, we would've seen a different side of Apollo. It could've opened up all of these other things that we didn't even know about, because he's now in a wheelchair."

Stallone further details that Apollo would then be embraced as part of his family. However, if that route were taken, the future of the Rocky franchise would look very different.

"But then he has his family, too. What about that whole thing? It would've changed the entire trajectory of all of the Rocky [films]," said Stallone. "'Rocky V' would've never happened, and 'Rocky VI' maybe would have never happened that way. 'Creed' probably never would have been made."

As previously reported, Rocky IV received a new cut by Stallone, and it'll screen in select theaters for one night only on Thursday, November 11. Dubbed Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago, the film will feature "more intense fight scenes." A trailer for the film can be viewed below.

Stallone first announced a director's cut of Rocky IV was in the works back in August 2020. At that time, he shared via social media, "For the 35th anniversary, Rocky 4 is getting a new DIRECTOR'S cut by me. So far it looks great. Soulful... Thank you, MGM for this opportunity to entertain."

Stallone noted in a response in the comment section that one memorable aspect of the film will be omitted.

"The robot is going to the junkyard forever," wrote Sly. "No more robot."

To find a theater screening Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago near you, head over to FathomEvents.com.