In a poignant reflection on the life and career of the late Carl Weathers, the acclaimed actor’s unconventional audition for the role of Apollo Creed in the legendary Rocky franchise has taken center stage. Weathers, who passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday, left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, particularly through his portrayal of the charismatic and formidable Apollo Creed.
Following the release of Creed, the seventh installment in the Rocky series, Weathers shared insights into his journey as Apollo Creed during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2015. Recalling the audition process for the 1976 film, Weathers revealed a surprising twist that played a pivotal role in securing the iconic role.
“There was nobody to read with, and they said you’re going to read with the writer [Sylvester Stallone],” recounted Weathers. Unbeknownst to him, Stallone, 77, was set to star as the titular boxer, Rocky Balboa. After the audition, Weathers, feeling the scene hadn’t fully come to life, made an audacious decision.
“We read through the scene, and at the end of it, I didn’t feel like it had really sailed, that the scene had sailed, and they were quiet, and there was this moment of awkwardness, I felt, anyway,” shared Weathers. “So I just blurted out, ‘I could do a lot better if you got me a real actor to work with.'”
This bold move, unintentionally insulting the movie’s star, turned out to be a stroke of brilliance. Stallone appreciated the authenticity of the remark, deeming it in line with what Apollo Creed would say. Weathers humorously reflected on the incident, noting, “Sometimes the mistakes are the ones that get you the gig.”
The news of Weathers’ peaceful passing in his sleep was shared by his family, marking the end of an era for a celebrated actor and former NFL linebacker. Tributes poured in from Weathers’ Rocky castmates, with Sylvester Stallone expressing gratitude for their collaboration in an Instagram video. Stallone emphasized Weathers’ brilliance, power, and the profound impact he had on the Rocky series.
Michael B. Jordan, who portrayed Apollo’s son, Adonis “Donnie” Creed, also paid homage on Instagram, sharing a photo of Weathers with the caption, “We lost a Legend.” As the entertainment industry mourns the loss of Carl Weathers, his audacious audition and the legacy of Apollo Creed continue to resonate, reminding fans of the enduring impact of his remarkable career.
