Sylvester Stallone, the actor best known for playing the iconic character Rocky Balboa in the Rocky film series, has recently voiced his frustrations over not owning the rights to the franchise and his exclusion from the production of Creed III. In August 2022, Stallone took to Instagram to criticize Irwin Winkler, the producer who holds the rights to Rocky, calling him "the most hated, least talented, most decrepit of Hollywood producers." Stallone also commented on a planned series project centered on the character played by Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV, known as "Drago," indicating his continued interest in the Rocky universe. During the release of Creed III in 2023, Stallone reiterated his grievances, stating he was not invited to make a cameo and that the production was led by director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan, rather than himself. Stallone expressed concerns about the direction of the franchise under Jordan's leadership, claiming it was moving into a "dark space" and taking a path different from how he perceives the characters of the Rocky saga. He specifically criticized the story and the rivalry between Adonis Creed (played by Jordan) and Damian (played by Jonathan Majors), saying the film took a direction opposite to what he would have chosen. In response, Michael B. Jordan attempted to address the situation, stating that the spirit and essence of Rocky remain central to the Creed saga. He emphasized that the franchise is built around Adonis Creed's journey and that there is always a possibility for Stallone to return as Rocky in the future. Despite receiving an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for his performance in Creed, Stallone has expressed regret over his involvement in the Creed films, calling it "such a waste of time" and saying he is "really sorry I did that." However, he does not regret his participation in Creed 1 and Creed 2 based on the quality of the films, but rather the evolution of the franchise without Rocky and the lack of ownership over the rights. Stallone's main concerns revolve around the continued exploitation of the Rocky brand and the creative direction of Creed III. He does not consider Creed 1 and Creed 2 to be bad films, but he regrets the direction the saga has taken without his involvement. Meanwhile, Stallone will be celebrated in cinemas with I Play Rocky, a biopic centered on the chaotic genesis and filming of the famous film that made him famous, set to release on December 23, 2026. He will also appear in season 4 of Tulsa King, which will air on October 16 on Paramount+, and publish his autobiography, One Step at a Time, on October 7, published by Flammarion.