MGM is reportedly developing a spin-off film about the menacing Rocky character, Ivan Drago. At this time, it is unclear who will lead the film, but The Wrap reports that it will be written by Robert Lawton. Unfortunately, it will move forward without the support of Rocky creator Sylvester Stallone. After learning of the film, Stallone took to Instagram to air his grievances with the film’s producer, Irwin Winkler, who has producer credits on all Rocky and Creed films.
“[This is] another heartbreaker. [I] just found this out. Once again, [a] pathetic 94-year-old producer and his selfish, useless children are picking what is left off [of] the bones of another wonderful character,” Stallone wrote.
“I am sorry to the fans. I apologize to the fans. I never wanted Rocky to be exploited for this greed.”
This is not the first time that Winkler has been the subject of Stallone’s anger. In November 2021, Dolph Lundgren, who played Ivan Drago in 1985’s Rocky IV, teased a potential Drago film.
“By the way, I think there’s some talk about doing a whole spinoff on Drago with MGM. So you may get more of that,” Lundgren told The Hollywood Reporter.
After the interview was published, Stallone took to Instagram to express his dismay with the idea of a Drago film.
“Return my rights, bloodsuckers,” Stallone wrote.
“Dolph, why? Not a phone call?”
Lundgren learned of Stallone’s comments and told his fans that he was “under the impression” that Stallone was involved.
“In touch with Mr Balboa – just so all the fans can relax…There ya go,” he continued.
Stallone has been vocal about his lack of ownership in the Rocky franchise and has stepped away from the Creed films as well.
