Why did Carl Weathers leave Rocky?

The turbulent production of “Rocky IV” marked a pivotal moment in the career of American actor Carl Weathers, renowned for his portrayal of the iconic boxer Apollo Creed in the first four films of the Rocky series (1976–1985).

Sylvester Stallone, who played the titular character and also directed the film, shed light on the challenges that led to Weathers contemplating leaving the project.

The source of the tension stemmed from the filming of the exhibition fight scene between Apollo Creed and the formidable Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren.

Stallone revealed that Lundgren’s intense physicality nearly drove Weathers to the point of quitting. During the filming of the Apollo vs. Drago exhibition fight, a particularly intense moment occurred when Lundgren forcefully tossed Weathers into the corner of the boxing ring.

The impact of the scene led to Weathers expressing his frustration by shouting profanities at Lundgren and abruptly leaving the ring. It was at this juncture that Weathers declared his intention to call his agent and quit the movie.

The incident caused a four-day work stoppage as tensions between the two actors escalated. Sylvester Stallone, recognizing the significance of both actors to the success of the film, intervened to facilitate reconciliation.

Stallone’s intervention ultimately persuaded Weathers to reconsider leaving the project, and Lundgren, in turn, agreed to tone down his aggressive approach during the filming.

“Rocky IV” went on to become the highest-grossing film in the Rocky series up to that point, amassing over $300 million worldwide. The box office success showcased the enduring popularity of the franchise and the significance of the Apollo vs. Drago storyline.