Sylvester Stallone may be ready to return to Creed IV, but Rocky Balboa might need one person out of the picture first. Stallone had once indicated that he would return to the franchise only if a particular person were no longer attached to the project, although he did not name anyone. Given his longstanding feud with producer Irwin Winkler, the longtime franchise producer is a likely candidate. Stallone last appeared in the franchise in Creed II, sitting out Creed III in 2023 amid creative differences over its direction.

So, while fans can believe they will see Stallone back in the Creed franchise, Rocky’s comeback might come at the cost of a longtime producer.

In a conversation with SiriusXM's Jessica Shaw in 2023, Sylvester Stallone said he may be ready to return to the Creed franchise with a fourth instalment, but Rocky Balboa could come with one very specific casting condition. There is one person Stallone apparently does not want involved, and the clues are pointing to longtime franchise producer Irwin Winkler.

“I'll do Creed IV with him as long as the other fellow is not involved,” he had said.

Fast forward to 2026, Creed IV is in development, giving fans a reason to wonder whether Stallone could finally return as the legendary Philadelphia boxer. His absence from Creed III in 2023 followed creative differences over the film's direction, alongside his long-running feud with Winkler. Although Stallone praised Jordan and the studio, he admitted that the experience had been an emotionally difficult ride.

The tension between Stallone and Winkler goes back years, extending well beyond the Creed films. Stallone has repeatedly expressed frustration over not owning the rights to Rocky, even had to beg for the rights to the character and franchise he created, and even publicly pleaded for those rights to be returned. If Winkler is indeed the unnamed person behind Stallone's condition he mentioned in the SiriusXM interview, a Creed comeback could depend on a longstanding Hollywood feud finally reaching a breaking point.

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While Sylvester Stallone is laying down the law for his possible Creed IV return, the sequel is already getting ready for another round.

The boxing franchise is already moving ahead without waiting in Sylvester Stallone's corner. Producer Irwin Winkler and star Michael B. Jordan have confirmed that the fourth instalment is in development, with Jordan expected to return as Adonis Creed and direct. Tessa Thompson is also expected to reprise her role as Bianca, although the film has no confirmed release date or production schedule yet.

Jordan and the producers have reportedly been taking their time with the script rather than rushing another sequel into production, with the story potentially exploring Adonis moving into mentorship. Stallone, as expressed, is interested in reuniting with Jordan if they can find the right story, but his willingness comes with a condition. The actor wants one unnamed person kept out of the project, and his history with Winkler makes the producer a likely candidate.

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Would you rather have Sylvester Stallone or Irwin Winkler attached to Creed IV? Let us know in the comments!