Every Rocky Character Who Can Return In Stallone’s Prequel Show

Sylvester Stallone has teased the possibility of a Rocky prequel series in the past, which would focus on Rocky Balboa’s life a decade prior to the events of 1976’s Rocky. Stallone wrote the original Rocky, which was directed by John G. Avildsen, winning Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. From there, Stallone continued the series, writing and/or directing the follow-up sequels, making six films in total, ending with Rocky Balboa in 2006. The actor continued playing the role in the spinoff series Creed, starring Michael B. Jordan as the son of Apollo Creed. Stallone’s last appearance as Balboa was in Creed II, which he has said would be his last time portraying the character.

However, Stallone has floated the idea of a Rocky prequel series on a streaming platform, which would focus on Balboa growing up in South Philly in the 1960s, experiencing the cultural events of the “most transformative era in history”, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to Vietnam to the Moon landing to the Civil Rights Movement, etc. The actor frequently shares his ideas on Instagram, as well as teasing future projects, with the Rocky prequel series being one of them. Stallone says it’s unlike that the series would happen “due to certain complications” but still expressed hope that it would, saying that the show would introduce 17-year-old Robert “Rocky” Balboa as a “a young man struggling like all young people, trying to find [his] place.”

The Rocky series has featured a myriad of characters from film to film, including Rocky’s family that consists of his wife, Adrian (Talia Shire), his brother-in-law, Paulie (Burt Young), his former opponent and best friend, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), his trainer, Mickey (Burgess Meredith), Apollo’s trainer, Duke (Tony Burton), and a long string of boxing opponents, from Clubber Lang (Mr. T) to Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) to Mason “The Line” Dixon (Antonio Tarver). There are plenty of character’s that have never been explored that would likely play a role in a Rocky prequel show, such as Rocky’s parents and school-age friends, but there are also plenty of known characters that could play a part in Rocky’s origin who intersect from the films, either directly or indirectly. Here are the characters that could potentially show up in a Rocky prequel show in some capacity, aside from the titular boxer himself:

Mickey Goldmill

Mickey was Rocky’s trainer at Mighty Mick’s, a boxing gym in South Philly where Rocky grew into the boxer he became. Mickey (played by Burgess Meredith) sees Rocky’s true potential, but is still hard on him, having been a boxer himself throughout The Great Depression and WWII. Mickey would still be an old man in the 1960s, but still full of the fiery charm and wisdom of his persona that eventually leads to welcoming Rocky into his gym to begin his boxing education.

Paulie Pennino

Paulie (played by Burt Young), the brother of Adrian, is a Navy Veteran and closest friend to Rocky, long before he was a famous boxer. Their loyalty to one another is unmatched, even if Paulie is a raging alcoholic and often brutally honest, sometimes violently so. Still, Rocky and Paulie are great friends with a rich history that’s sure to have many more layers than has been revealed thus far. Of all the relationships in Rocky’s early life, his friendship with Paulie is one that is sure to play a major role in his development on the road to championship boxer. It also leaves room to explore his crush on Paulie’s sister, Adrian, whom he never dated until the events of 1976’s Rocky.

Adrian Pennino

The sister of Paulie, Adrian (played by Talia Shire) is a shy, timid woman who first appears in Rocky as a clerk at the J&M Tropical Fish pet store, who refutes Rocky’s romantic advances. When Paulie pressures her to date him, she discovers that Rocky is more than a thuggish brute and they fall in love. How aware Rocky was of Adrian in his early years has yet to be revealed, but it’s entirely possible that he had been pining for her for over a decade, or at least as long as he’s known Paulie, which hasn’t been revealed.

Apollo Creed

While Apollo is slightly older than Rocky, it would seem fitting to involve the character in some way, even if he grew up in Los Angeles rather than South Philly. While the Rocky prequel is meant to be an origin of Balboa, there’s the potential that the show could toggle between both characters, showing their progress as boxers, building up to their inevitable showdown that would lead to an intense rivalry and lifelong friendship.

Tony “Duke” Evers

Apollo’s trailer isn’t necessarily a key character in Rocky’s formative years, but if Apollo factors into the prequel show, then it’s possible that Duke would play a role to some degree. It’s unclear how many trainers Apollo may have had in his formative years, but there’s no denying that Duke is the one that had the greatest impact. Their meeting and initial relationship is sure to be of note, seeing as their destiny together leads directly to Rocky’s.

Tony Gazzo

Gazzo (played by Joe Spinell) is a loan shark boss who uses Rocky as an enforcer in the original film. Gazzo may be a mob boss of sorts, but he’s also a very supportive character who believes in Rocky, despite his brutish nature. Gazzo easily fits into Rocky’s early years, as he could even be seen as a mentor of sorts, seeing as he not only gives Rocky a job, but also encourages him to follow his dreams as a boxer, as well as his romantic interest in Adrian. Gazzo’s presence is a big one in Rocky and his presence in Rocky’s life has a big impact on his future.

Spider Rico

Spider Rico (played by Pedro Lovell) is seen boxing Rocky at the Cambria Fight Club, where he head butts Balboa before being defeated. The two become close friends later in life, as featured in the Creed films. As Spider is from South Philly as well, it’s entirely possible that the two characters knew each other growing up in the neighborhood, perhaps even learning to box together in their formative years.

“Big” Dipper Brown

Played by Stan Shaw in Rocky, Dipper is a rival boxer at Mighty Mick’s gym who is given Rocky’s locker when Mickey gets angry with Rocky for wasting his potential as a boxer. Dipper is arrogant and taunts Rocky about taking over his locker, as well as the favorable light from Mickey. How long Rocky and Dipper had known each other up to that point is unknown, but it’s possible they had a closer connection on the streets of Philly, which could add some depth to Rocky’s boxing journey.

Father Carmine

A Roman Catholic priest who speaks fluent Italian (as does Rocky), Father Carmine (played by Paul Micale) marries Rocky and Adrian in Rocky II, but is a staple of Philadelphia and surely had run-ins with Rocky in his early years, potentially having a much bigger influence than has ever been revealed in the franchise. Rocky is a devout Catholic throughout the films, and Father Carmine offers a window into Balboa’s faith and how it plays into his life and boxing career.

Butkus the Dog

Butkus (named after Football legend Dick Butkus), was a Bull Mastiff originally owned by Stallone, who used the dog in both Rocky and Rocky II as the boxer’s pet. A family pet since 1969 for Stallone, Butkus is sure to have been a prominent canine in the young boxer’s life, which the show could reveal early on, perhaps even having Butkus shown as a puppy, growing up on the streets of Philly with Rocky, serving as a companion and protector of sorts.

The Turtles

Named Cuff and Link, the pair of red-eared slider turtles first appeared in Rocky, supposedly purchased from the same pet shop that Adrian worked at. Rocky introduces the turtles to Adrian in the film (despite having bought them from her), and seemingly remain in his care throughout the films, as they reappear in Rocky Balboa, as well as the Creed films (both were last reported still alive and at 44 years old during the filming of Creed II in 2018). Rocky’s purchase of the turtles and subsequent care for them is sure to play a compelling factor in his character development as a youth, not to mention simply being a rich aspect of his character’s history.

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