Carl Weathers’ unfortunate loss has shaken the entire world of pop culture. Neither his fans nor other co-stars and celebrities could accept this massive loss. He has graced the screens from Rocky to Predator and Toy Story with some of the most incredible performances. However, nothing could top his performance as Apollo Creed in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky franchise.
One of the most prominent scenes from Rocky IV was the death of Apollo Creed at Ivan Drago’s hand. Carl Weathers’ performance in that scene was so remarkable that the on-set doctor was scared that something actually happened to the actor.
Apollo Creed was one of the most memorable characters in the Sylvester Stallone franchise. He appeared in the first four Rocky films and was the central antagonist in Rocky and Rocky II. Later, his legacy was also continued further in the spin-off Creed franchise.
Carl Weathers’ acting became too real in Rocky IV
It is incredibly praiseworthy how the Rocky franchise was filmed with realistic boxing matches and fight sequences. Earlier, Carl Weathers took to an interview with GQ Magazine to discuss how the team of Rocky took risks to film the sequences with utmost realism. However, he made sure that nothing was intentional, and the actors took precautions so that nobody was hurt. But it can not be said that accidents never occurred.
“But there were times when we did get hit. You know, fatigue and slipping would occur, and you’d just go, ‘Wait a minute, man. Another one of those and you’re gonna get something back. And it won’t be fun what I throw back.’ So there were moments like that, of course. But none of it was intentional unless it was supposed to be intentional.”
In Rocky IV, even Sylvester Stallone was subjected to a critical injury when Dolph Lundgren hit him hard while filming a key sequence. Another important scene from the film is when Ivan Drago kills Apollo Creed during a boxing match. In the documentary The Rocky Saga: Going the Distance (via Contact Music), Carl Weathers discussed that his acting went so well and real in that sequence that an on-set doctor was scared and rushed to check on him.
“I thought, well Apollo goes down – number one, I don’t want to catch myself, ’cause that gives it away. And then I was doing this little twitching as I went down, and the doctor really thought I’d got taken out. He came running up to me – ‘Are you okay, are you alright?’ ‘Yeah, man!’. He saw the twitching and thought I got tagged, man. It worked, it worked.”
There were also rumors that Carl Weathers and Dolph Lundgren were involved in some real altercations during the filming of Rocky IV. However, the late actor ensured that those were all rumors and everything was fine between him and the Ivan Drago star. Not only did he appreciate Lundgren as a “sweet guy” (via GQ), but he also appreciated his performance as Ivan Drago.
Nobody can get over Carl Weathers’ unfortunate demise
The industry was stunned in disbelief when it was announced by Carl Weathers’ family that the Mandalorian star passed away peacefully in his sleep. Following that, several of the late actor’s co-stars and friends in the industry have poured in tributes. Recently, Sylvester Stallone had taken to an Instagram post to express his sorrow.
It can not be stated that Rocky could have been as popular as it is without the contribution of Carl Weathers. Sylvester Stallone stated that the late star was an integral part of his life and success.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for me. I’m so torn up I can’t even tell you. I’m just trying to hold it in because Carl Weathers was such an integral part of my life, my success, everything about it.”
Stallone could not stop praising the actor for the qualities and skills that he possessed. Besides The Expendables star, the Creed lead, Michael B. Jordan also poured in tribute for his on-screen father. As Carl Weathers played the role of Greef Karga in The Mandalorian, the Star Wars team also gave a heartfelt tribute to the late star.
