It once seemed impossible that any movie in the long-running boxing franchise would top the firstRockyfilm, but then 2015’sCreedcame along and shocked audiences. The firstRockymovie was released in 1976 and was instantly celebrated as an iconic sports film, eventually winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The success of the Sylvester Stallone-led boxing film led to eight moremovies in theRocky/Creedfranchise. While many of theRockysequels included iconic moments, none of them experienced the same level of acclaim as the first film.
After 2006’sRocky Balboa, the franchise was considered to be dead, especially since Stallone was too old to play a believable boxer. However, 2015’sCreedrevitalized the franchise.Creedintroduces audiences to Adonis, the son of former heavyweightboxing champion Apollo Creed, who was played by Carl Weathers in the first fourRockymovies.Creedsuccessfullyhonored the legacy of theRockyfranchise, and proved that the long-running series could continue through a new protagonist. In fact,Creedactually manages to useRocky’siconic theme song “Gonna Fly Now” better than the original movie did.
Creed Sampling “Gonna Fly Now” At The End Was Incredibly Cathartic
Creed Waited To Use Rocky’s Iconic Theme Song
“Gonna Fly Now” is the theme song of the firstRockymovie and its subsequent sequels. In the first film,the song is first heard during the training montage during which Rocky runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This is not only the most memorable moment from the firstRockyfilm, but also one of the best moments in cinematic history. After the success of the first movie, theRockyfranchise became known for its training montages. Therefore, it was obvious thatCreedwould also include a training montage.
However,the training montages inCreeddid not feature “Gonna Fly Now.“Instead, the film doesn’t use theRockytheme until the very end of the movie. “Gonna Fly Now” is finally played inCreedafter Rocky reassures Adonis that he is a Creed. Before the final round of Adonis' fight against Ricky Conlan, Rocky tells him he loves him and promises that he’s going to fight his cancer. This inspires Adonis to rise up and continue his fight against Ricky Conlan. As he stands up, “Gonna Fly Now” finally plays, culminating decades worth of stories in the franchise.
Creed Was Smart Not To Use Rocky’s Theme Until The Very End
“Gonna Gly Now” Wouldn’t Have Been As Effective During An Earlier Scene In Creed
After fiveRockysequels, many of which were not well-received,Creedwas facing an uphill battle. The film had the incredibly tough task of convincing audiences to root for a protagonist that wasn’t Rocky. Even though Rocky was an extremely important character in the movie, there was a lot of pressure on Michael B. Jordan to follow in Stallone’s footsteps. This is echoed in the story of the movie, asAdonis is worried that he will never be as good as his father. Adonis finally reveals this to Rocky at the end of the movie, which prompts his inspiring speech.
“Gonna Fly Now” plays right after the emotional climax of the film, and ensures that viewers will be on the edge of their seats during the final round of boxing between Adonis Creed and Ricky Conlan.
Creedusing “Gonna Fly Now” at any other point in the movie would have felt like the film desperately wanted to recapture the magic ofRocky. However, by the time it finally does play at the end of the movie, Adonis Creed has proven that he is a worthy successor to Rocky.“Gonna Fly Now” plays right after the emotional climax of the film, and ensures that viewers will be on the edge of their seats during the final round of boxing between Adonis Creed and Ricky Conlan.
Creed’s “Gonna Fly Now” Moment Only Works Because Of How Iconic Rocky Is
The First Rocky Movie Led To “Gonna Fly Now” Being An Iconic & Motivational Song
Even thoughCreed’suse of “Gonna Fly Now” may be better thanRocky’s, it only works so well because of how iconic the training montage inRockyis.Creedwouldn’t have existed if the firstRockymovie was not such a success. Not only did the 1976 film introduce the world to the titular boxer, but also to Apollo Creed. The rivalry and eventual friendship between Rocky and Apollo led to several iconic cinematic moments. Even after his death inRocky IV,Apollo’s lasting impact on the series proved that the franchise could continue with aCreedmovie.
Michael B. Jordan’s Creed 4 Returns Means The Franchise Can Do The One Thing Rocky Failed To
Michael B. Jordan is due to return for the 4th entry in the Creed saga, which gives the franchise the opportunity to do something Rocky never could.
Adonis Creed was perhaps the perfect character to continue the long-running boxing franchise with. Not only does he have a familial connection to Apollo, but the story ofCreedalso brings him and Rocky together. ThroughoutCreed,Adonis and Rocky form a father-son relationship with each other, and it is evident that they both truly love each other. Through Adonis and Rocky’s relationship,Creedsuccessfully honors one of the most important relationships that began in the iconic firstRockymovie.
The Creed Franchise Has Been Very Clever With Its Rocky References
The Creed Movies Are Not Afraid To Reference Rocky
The success of 2015’sCreedhas led to several sequels. Two more movies have been released in the series, and afourthCreedfilmhas also been confirmed. TheCreedseries wouldn’t be as successful if it didn’t honor theRockyfranchise in the proper way.It would have been very easy for theCreedfilms to stuff as manyRockyreferences in as possible just to appease fans, but this ultimately would not have been good for the story. Instead of relying on the success of theRockyseries,Creedhas successfully created its own iconic moments.
93%
70%
65%
39%
32%
78%
95%
83%
Creed III (2023)
89%
This is not to say that theCreedmovies never referenceRocky. They have just been super smart about their references. For example, not long after “Gonna Fly Now” plays inCreed, Adonis and Rocky visit the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art together. This scene is not included until the very end ofCreedbecause the film had to earn this moment. Overall, just like the use of “Gonna Fly Now,” theCreedseries has been very smart with references toRocky, which proves that a lot of effort and care is put into the films.
Creed
Cast
Creed is a spin-off/continuation of the boxing drama franchise Rocky. Set years after the original Rocky series, Creed follows Adonis Johnson, the estranged son of Apollo Creed, on a journey to Philadelphia to find his father’s friend/rival, Rocky Balboa. Now training to follow in his father’s footsteps, Creed fights to become the best boxer in the world.
Rocky
Rocky tells the story of Rocky Balboa, an underdog boxer from Philadelphia who gets an unexpected shot at the world heavyweight title. The film explores Rocky’s personal and professional struggles, his romance with Adrian Pennino, and his journey toward self-respect and determination.
