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Carl Weathers
Almost 40 years ago, my kid brother and I watched Rocky IV on video. We got to the scene where the vicious Ivan Drago beats Apollo Creed to death in the ring. My brother, nine years old at the time, started crying. In one of my few kind acts as a big brother, I tried to comfort him. “It’s all pretend,” I told him, but to no avail. Finally, I grabbed the newspaper and found the ad for Weathers’s new film Action Jackson. “You see, he’s fine,” I explained. That assuaged my brother, and we went on with the movie. I went back to that day so long ago when I learned that Weathers had passed away at 76. While I may not have cried at that moment, like my brother I was devastated seeing the vaunted Apollo Creed go down so brutally. Like so many other fans, we felt a connection to Apollo Creed, and that’s due in no small part to Carl Weathers. On the Rocky DVD, Weathers tells a story that’s been repeated since his passing. When he came in to audition for Apollo, Weathers was told to read with Stallone, who was described only as the film’s writer. Weathers believed that he bombed, and in desperation told the casting director that he could do much better paired with a real actor. Then informed that Stallone was also the film’s star, Weathers left convinced that his remark erased what little chance he had of snagging the part. Stallone liked what Weathers said, believing it fit with Apollo Creed’s attitude, and the rest was history. Weathers had never stepped foot in a boxing ring before playing Creed but was a natural athlete. He played briefly in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders. With the right training, Weathers’s physique and agility made him instantly believable as not just a boxer, but the undefeated heavyweight champion of the world. Weathers offered way more than physical skills. His charisma and charm befit a role loosely based on Muhammad Ali. He had the swagger, the energy, and the warmth that he imbued in this masterful performance. You could especially see that in his scenes with Tony Burton as Duke, Apollo’s trainer, mirroring the relationship between Rocky and Mickey. While we all pulled for Rocky, we never hated Apollo. He was Rocky’s opponent but not a villain, unlike Clubber Lang and Drago in later films. Rocky liked Apollo, and was grateful to him for the opportunity he provided. Apollo was often frustrated with Rocky, but grew to respect him. So seeing Rocky and Apollo become friends in Rocky III felt natural, and not forced. Stallone and Weathers had a yin-yang chemistry and easy rapport that sold the bond between the former rivals. That’s why so many cared so much when Apollo died in Rocky IV. But Weathers was not going to exit the stage without making his mark. Right before the fatal fight Apollo dances with James Brown. The singer and the boxer fit together perfectly. Two consummate showmen. Weathers post Apollo career had its ups and downs. Action Jackson was supposed to launch a new franchise but did not succeed critically or commercially. He went toe-to-toe with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator. Later he found success going against type in comedies such as Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler and as a spendthrift version of himself in “Arrested Development.” Most recently he played a key role in the Star Wars universe as the fixer Greef Karga in “The Mandolorian.” Seeing a star from one franchise started in the 70s going to another one felt gratifying. Weathers’s swagger gave way to a quiet confidence, as he had aged into his character. Just as he had with Stallone decades before, Weathers developed a natural chemistry with star Pedro Pascal. He won new fans who might not have even heard of Apollo Creed. Weathers also showed talent behind the scenes, directing some episodes. He still had so much left to give. Lucasfilm is developing a Mandolorian movie, and I wished I could see Weathers in it. Of course, we will always have Apollo, Weathers’s signature role. While he does not appear in any of the Creed films, his legacy is draped all over them. Adonis Creed’s journey and struggle mean more because of the vivid picture of his father Apollo still etched in our minds. In one key scene Rocky tells young Adonis “Apollo? Yeah, he was great. Perfect fighter. Ain’t nobody ever better.” Adonis asks “So how did you beat him?” “Time beat him,” Rocky replies “Time, you know, takes everybody out. It’s undefeated.” True enough, but in Weathers’s case I wish time could have waited a little longer. Adam Spector February 9, 2024 Contact us: |
